A £300million factory to build electric taxis opens it doors today at Ansty Park near Coventry, creating 1000 jobs.
Coventry-based London Taxi Company’s (LTC) factory will have the capacity to assemble more than 20,000 vehicles a year.
The plant will include a new state-of-the-art research, development and assembly facility to develop the new TX5 model, a zero emissions taxi, and other hybrid technology vehicles.
It has been supported by £16.1 million from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, through the Regional Growth Fund, awarded in 2015.
The Department for Transport also announced a further £14 million investment to promote the use of electric taxis, of which Coventry will receive £1.2m.
This money will deliver new dedicated chargepoints for electric taxis in Coventry and a further nine council areas across the country.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs and regeneration, said: “This is really great news. The city has a proud manufacturing heritage and with this announcement and more to come, we are looking forward to ensuring we are at the front of new technology including low emission electric vehicles and even driverless cars.
“This cash will enable us to ensure that modern, fast charging points are in place to run the latest electric taxis in the city. They will be good for the environment, good for manufacturing and good for the local supply chain.”
The Business Secretary Greg Clark and Transport Minister John Hayes welcomed the opening of a new £300 million electric taxi factory under Chinese owners Geely.
He said: “Our iconic black cabs are famous across the world. The London Taxi Company’s impressive new factory and R&D facility showcases the innovation that makes the UK a world leader in the development of new automotive technologies.”
