Comments on: Japan’s First Electric Taxi Project Kicks Off

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:42:00 +0000

No surprise. NL always a leader.

By: Ruud

Ruud — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 20:36:00 +0000

http://www.taxi-e.nl

In Amsterdam electric taxi are allready part of every day live!

By: electric38

electric38 — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:49:00 +0000

Seems like Japan was testing a taxi about 2 years ago that incorporated a quick change battery (less than a minute). What happened to that one? Surely setting up a hundred batteries or so to charge under a solar PV canopy would mean that you always have one available.

There are also several inductive type chargers. Why wouldn’t they place them under the taxi stands?

Once the solar, charger and car are paid for, the rest is pure profit, as long as the sun is shining.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:25:00 +0000

” Unfortunately their eco credentials didn’t extend as far as their wallets. ”

I don’t get your meaning…

By: Hope

Hope — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:28:00 +0000

Well its nice to know it is feasible. Unfortunately their eco credentials didn’t extend as far as their wallets.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:13:00 +0000

*I don’t think the partial-charge issue holds for all batteries.*
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*BYD has been running a fleet of 160 mile range EV taxis more than a year so far. They use an iron-phosphate battery that can be fully recharged in 30 minutes.*
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*Some have passed 100,000 miles with no apparent decrease in battery capacity.*
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“The most significant results of BYD’s
announcement included 1.7 million miles of all-electric travel and $360,000 in fuel savings. BYD Auto also noted that e6 and F3DM fleet vehicles have not experienced reductions in battery range over time.”
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* http://www.chinacartimes.com/2011/05/12/byd-releases-ev-taxi-testing-results/ *

That’s a savings of $7,200 per car.
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*On Sat, Apr 14, 2012 at 9:47 AM, Disqus <

By: Hope

Hope — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 16:47:00 +0000

I approached venture capitalists early last year about a similar thing. Despite the impression of roaming taxi drivers, most do under 150 miles a night, and have a point or points they return to.

Provided there’s a charge point at a base or rank as with this scheme, I don’t see why it isn’t perfectly feasible. The only potential pitfall is the constant part-charging of the battery, which to the best of my knowledge lessens battery life.