Part of Chinese manufacturing giant Geely, which also owns Volvo, the company has developed a purpose-built taxi cab which can be driven using electricity, but has a conventional engine to extend the range as necessary.

It meets London Mayor Boris Johnson’s requirement that all taxis licensed from January 2018 must be capable of driving using electricity, and was shown alongside Nissan’s fully electric e-NV200-based taxi and Ecotive’s range-extended Metrocab at an event held at London's City Hall.

The platform is purpose-built for use as a taxi and meets the European Whole Vehicle Type Approved Black Cab and London Conditions of Fitness. It offers a 25ft turning circle, will have a five-star Euro NCAP rating and seats six passengers in the back. Details about running costs and the drivetrain used have not been announced as yet.

Vice-President of UK Operations, Peter Johansen said: ‘Given Geely’s green credentials and their commitment to invest £200m in green taxi technology over the next 5 years, coupled with our own extensive experience and enviable heritage, we feel comfortable that we will provide London with an environmentally-sound Black Cab, which can meet the future air quality demands of our capital city, whilst also delivering a vehicle which is recognised by the general public as a taxi.’

‘Geely’s investment has allowed us to do what we do best; create purpose-built vehicles.  It’s not a van conversion; it’s designed from the ground up to be a London Taxi and will be robust and durable in order to survive the demanding taxi duty cycle.’