A shiny black cab is as synonymous with London as a red double-decker bus, a grumpy commuter, or a Pret a Manger. They’re well and truly part of the city’s furniture – and for many visitors, the first thing they see when they arrive and the last thing they see before they leave. But it seems as though London’s legendary black taxis will be taking the annual ‘new year, new me’ mindset rather literally next year, as the London EV Company (LEVC) have just announced that they’ll be giving the iconic vehicle an overhaul for the first time in almost a decade.
The LEVC have confirmed that a next-generation black cab will be hitting the UK market next year. This will mark the first redesign of the oh-so recognisable vehicles since 2018, when the TX model was introduced in 2018. Following on from the success of the TX (which was the first purpose-built, zero-exhaust-emission capable black cab), this new model is being engineered to meet the Metropolitan Conditions of Fitness – which are set out by Transport for London.
The new model has yet to be officially unveiled (and currently doesn’t have a name), but early design sketches of the silhouette have been released, alongside an image showing the evolution of one of London’s most iconic modes of transport.
Tony Chi, Chief Executive Officer at LEVC, said: “For more than a century, LEVC has been at the heart of urban mobility, and the black cab remains one of the most trusted and recognisable transport solutions in the world.
“Our next-generation taxi will honour everything drivers and passengers value about the current TX, while taking a significant step forward in design, innovation and sustainability. We know how important the future of the black can is to our partners and we want to reassure them that LEVC is fully committed to the future of this sector.”
Brett Boydell, Global Design Director at LEVC, said: “Designing the next generation of iconic black cab is both an incredible responsibility and a unique opportunity. These first sketches capture the essence of what’s to come – familiar, purposeful and unmistakably LEVC – but with a fresh, modern character that reflects the future of mobility. There is much more to reveal, but this is the beginning of that journey.”
