TappCar is a local company in the app-dispatched taxi business (like Uber, except TappCar operates legally), and they have just announced that they will be putting a fleet of BYD e6 battery-electric cars into service.
info sheet
e6 brochure
Ride-sharing company TappCar unveils electric fleet in Edmonton
TappCar partners with Edmonton airport to bring in fleet of pure-electric vehicles
TappCar to roll out electric vehicle fleet, and include carpool services
This is strange for Alberta, where weather doesn't favour EVs and there is no government subsidy of their purchase. There is also little renewable energy, so these will be indirectly coal and natural gas powered. The Chinese vehicle is also an obscure choice, but makes some sense given the high battery capacity (80 kWh) and corresponding range, and the useful body configuration.
In taxi service, they will be pushing the range, unlike many private owners who have no need to. It should be interesting to see how they perform. As taxis they will idle a lot, and with an emphasis on service to the airport (which is about 30 kilometres from downtown), they will have substantial highway time.
An interesting specification of the e6 is that it has an 80 kWh iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. As cars are wrecked, some of these will presumably appear in the salvage parts market... potentially to go into DIY EVs.
info sheet
e6 brochure
Ride-sharing company TappCar unveils electric fleet in Edmonton
TappCar partners with Edmonton airport to bring in fleet of pure-electric vehicles
TappCar to roll out electric vehicle fleet, and include carpool services
This is strange for Alberta, where weather doesn't favour EVs and there is no government subsidy of their purchase. There is also little renewable energy, so these will be indirectly coal and natural gas powered. The Chinese vehicle is also an obscure choice, but makes some sense given the high battery capacity (80 kWh) and corresponding range, and the useful body configuration.
In taxi service, they will be pushing the range, unlike many private owners who have no need to. It should be interesting to see how they perform. As taxis they will idle a lot, and with an emphasis on service to the airport (which is about 30 kilometres from downtown), they will have substantial highway time.
An interesting specification of the e6 is that it has an 80 kWh iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. As cars are wrecked, some of these will presumably appear in the salvage parts market... potentially to go into DIY EVs.