Thanks to Uber in the US, I know of one emission-free driver who makes his fares and saves $500+ a month avoiding gas and oil changes thanks to his Nissan LEAF. Still, in the US, we may have some catching up to do with Europe, where more than 550 Nissan electric taxis glide quietly on European roads. A recent press release, “Hailing Its Taxis: Nissan Exceeds All-Important 500 Electric Taxi Milestone,” shares that, as with my Uber friend, Nissan is the European choice for such driving.
Nissan is Europe’s best-selling manufacturer of 100% electric taxis. “During 2015, more than 100 electric vehicles were delivered to taxi companies across Europe,” Nissan notes.
Nissan electric vehicles — the Nissan LEAF and e-NV200, a passenger and light commercial vehicle, are catching on progressively among European taxi businesses. The Netherlands and the UK lead Nissan’s e-taxi league table.
Top 5 e-taxi countries in Europe (registrations):
|
|
Country |
Nissan LEAF |
Nissan e-NV200 |
Total number of Nissan e-taxis |
|
1. |
Netherlands |
27 |
167 |
194 |
|
2. |
UK |
124 |
10 |
134 |
|
3. |
Estonia |
74 |
0 |
74 |
|
4. |
Hungary |
68 |
0 |
68 |
|
5. |
Germany |
24 |
6 |
30 |
As the Nissan press release points out, taxi drivers are demanding users with the highest mileage. Nissan EVs have proven reliability as well as massive fuel and maintenance savings. “In Estonia, it has been reported that a Nissan LEAF owned by the taxi company, Elektritakso, has clocked up over 218,000 kilometres on its original battery pack, showcasing the high quality and reliability of Nissan’s electric vehicle range.”
The increase of EVs in the electric taxi market is not going to slow. Nissan’s popularity has started to take hold in Eastern Europe as well.
“Green Lite Taxi Kft., based in Budapest, has purchased 65 Nissan LEAFs in a bid to become Hungary’s largest zero-emission fleet. To power its pioneering franchise, CEO Örs Lévay has installed seven quick chargers within the city.”
Clean air, quiet traffic, and thanks to the launch of the new 30 kWh Nissan LEAF, more range. Drivers can travel 25% further making it an even more practical choice for taxi companies.
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The Launch Of Canada’s First All-Electric Taxi Service — Nissan & Taxelco
Amsterdam’s Taxi Electric Will Be 1st Private Taxi Company To Use Nissan’s New e-NV200