China’s London electric taxi maker LEVC unveils cutting-edge technology

China’s London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has revealed a new platform that will support its electric vehicles, including London’s famous black taxi.

LEVC, which shares parent company Geely with Volvo, Lotus, Polestar and Proton, says the new platform can be adapted especially for taxis.

Currently, the brand is offering drivers of the famous London taxis an electric alternative to their existing cars. The new platform will likely form the basis for the next-generation version of the vehicle.

Called Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), it has been in development over the last two and a half years in China, England, Sweden and Germany.

SOA can support vehicles from 4.86m to 5.995m in length, 1.945m to 1.998m in width, and vehicles with a wheelbase from 3m to 3.8m, making it easily adaptable to various segments.

The platform can support batteries between 73 and 120 kWh, which can provide a range of up to 695 km and has ultra-fast charging capability.

LEVC says the new architecture can support front, rear or four-wheel drive powertrains.

An additional feature of the platform is the company’s L-OS software, which has been developed for use in a variety of applications.

The L-OS system enables autonomous driving capabilities up to Level 4, along with features such as a fully digital cockpit for the driver.

LEVC promises that the vehicle interior on this platform can be optimized for maximum comfort, with the availability of several seating configurations.

Space inside the vehicle has been a fundamental focus for this platform. The battery is located in the center, allowing for a level floor, while the powertrain components are at the front to provide additional space inside the vehicle.

LEVC and Geely have opened up the technology and design to other companies in an effort to make sustainability more accessible.

UK-based company LEVC has been manufacturing London taxis since 1908.

After changing names and acquiring several different companies, in 1985 it became London Taxis International.

In 2006, the company announced a joint venture with Geely to build a factory in Shanghai that would make taxis for international markets outside the UK, including China. In 2013, after taking a 20 percent stake in the business, Geely took over the UK-based manufacturer.