North China’s Taiyuan will be first in country with only electric taxis

Global Business

North China’s Shanxi province will be the first city in China with entirely electric taxis. CCTV’s Hu Chao reports from Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province.

North China's Taiyuan will be first in country with only electric taxis

North China's Shanxi province will be the first city in China with entirely electric taxis. CCTV's Hu Chao reports from Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province. he BYD E6, the new electric taxis in Taiyuan feature wider space leather seats, an LCD panel, GPS navigation, and a traveling data recorder. All other types of taxis are due to be scrapped and the city government has ordered that more than 8,000 electric cars to replace them this year. There are currently about 400 electric taxis in operation. In addition to using clean energy, the ride is spacious and quiet. But not all drivers are happy about the change. Some are concerned about the two hours it takes to charge the battery, the shortage of charging stations, and the cost of maintenance. The municipal government is determined however. More charging stations and waiting rooms for drivers are being built. Data from the new electric taxis are already being collected to make improvements. The provincial government has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the taxi maker, the BYD Company. The company is investing $2 billion yuan ($306,086,541) to build an industry base in Taiyuan. Many say it will help improve the local sluggish economy in this coal mining province.

The BYD E6, the new electric taxis in Taiyuan feature wider space leather seats, an LCD panel, GPS navigation, and a traveling data recorder.

All other types of taxis are due to be scrapped and the city government has ordered that more than 8,000 electric cars to replace them this year. There are currently about 400 electric taxis in operation.

In addition to using clean energy, the ride is spacious and quiet.

But not all drivers are happy about the change. Some are concerned about the two hours it takes to charge the battery, the shortage of charging stations, and the cost of maintenance.

The municipal government is determined however. More charging stations and waiting rooms for drivers are being built. Data from the new electric taxis are already being collected to make improvements.

The provincial government has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the taxi maker, the BYD Company. The company is investing $2 billion yuan ($306,086,541) to build an industry base in Taiyuan. Many say it will help improve the local sluggish economy in this coal mining province.


Author Levi Tillemann on China growing E-car market

CCTV America’s Rachelle Akuffo interviewed Levi Tillemann about the growing electric car market. Tillemann is a managing partner at Valence Strategic and the author of “The Great Race: The Global Quest for the Car of the Future”.
Follow Rachelle Akuffo on Twitter @RachelleAkuffo

Author Levi Tillemann on China growing E-car market

CCTV America's Rachelle Akuffo interviewed Levi Tillemann about the growing electric car market. Tillemann is a managing partner at Valence Strategic and the author of "The Great Race: The Global Quest for the Car of the Future".