Apart from red telephone boxes and red double-decker buses one of the most images most synonymous with London is the Black Taxi. Those cabs are unique to the UK – 4 adults can sit in the rear facing each other as the little cabs (which have been mostly diesel the better part of 25 years)  go

chugging around the capital city. It’s also apparently the hardest driver examination for taxi drivers in the world, aspiring drivers typically take up to 2 years doing ‘the knowledge’ – they are expected to know every street in London and the ideal route from point A to point B. It’s harder than it sounds as the roads aren’t a grid system but a medieval patchwork that looks like a spiderweb from above.

Changes are afoot – the London Cab is going green – however don’t panic, the bulk of the 21,000 vehicle fleet won’t be painted yellow or fall victim to flashy advertising. The changes are far more subtle and useful than that – Mercedes are introducing a vehicle currently being tested for suitability that is electric.

Until recently most of the giant fleet of cars were built by first Austin and then LT (London Taxi). While there have been trials with vehicles built by other manufacturers it has taken Mercedes to start taking away from the traditionally English built fleet. Mercedes introduced the Vito to

London’s streets in 2008 and has subsequently seen their portion of the London Cab market exceed 25%. The Vito looks much somewhat like a ‘traditional’ cab and performs well – one key necessity is a turning circle of less than 25 feet. Navigating London’s narrow roads takes a car that is durable, maneuverable and reliable and the Vito is scoring high with drivers on all counts. Now Mercedes are looking forward and taking steps that may soon see them dominate the market with an electric version of the Vito.

Eco-City Vehicles will be putting the electric car through its paces this Spring and are confident that the vehicle will be zipping around London in time for the 2012 Olympic Games. In a city that is working frantically to improve air quality by adding a congestion charge for driving in the centre of the city and is seeking to overhaul its giant bus and tube (subway) network – electric taxis will be warmly embraced by a public who are looking for a more sustainable approach to Britain’s transport needs.

Peter DaCosta, Chief Executive Officer of Eco City Vehicles, commented:  ”The eVito is the first all-electric wheelchair accessible taxi with a 25-foot turning circle to be launched in the world and a major step towards our goal to become a leading supplier of niche eco-friendly vehicles. Subject to successful trials, the eVito together with the already popular Vito taxi, provides London with a great opportunity to reduce air pollution with modern vehicles.  We have taken on board Mayor Boris Johnson’s wish for a cleaner London and I’m confident this will contribute to meeting his goal.”

I still have a soft spot for the traditional London Cab, but if Mercedes are the first to create a version that can be plugged in as opposed to running on gasoline, then more (electric) power to them.