L380 seeks to build on LEVC’s black cab success

The L380 is the first vehicle to be built using the Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), a new EV platform developed by LEVC alongside parent company Geely. Deriving both its name and styling cues from the Airbus A380 aircraft, the L380 will come in three, six or eight-seat configurations. The initial Chinese launch will be supported by LEVC’s assembly line in Yiwu, Central Zhejiang Province. LEVC said further details on the vehicle will be released in the coming months.

“L380 is the first demonstration of the future vision for LEVC, launching the business into an entirely new sector,” said Alex Nan, CEO of LEVC. “Today marks another momentous occasion for LEVC, as the next step forward in the company’s globalisation strategy, as we rapidly accelerate our transition from manufacturing the world’s most advanced and iconic taxi, to becoming a leading e-mobility technology company.

“The innovative SOA technology – developed alongside Geely – is spearheading our exciting new strategy that will see the business take a global approach, growing our footprint across the world. We aim to have a presence in over 40 countries in the coming years, with multiple new models based on the SOA platform leading the way.”

Since 2014, Chinese automotive giant Geely has invested over £500m in LEVC, allowing it to build a new manufacturing facility in Ansty, Coventry, where the hybrid TX black cab is produced. The TX has been available since 2017, a year before Transport for London (TfL) rules came into force that allowed only zero-emission capable vehicles to be added to the city's taxi fleet.

The TX has an electric range of 80 miles, extended to 377 miles with its 1.5-litre petrol engine. In April 2022, LEVC said that more than 5,000 TXs had been sold, replacing around a third of London’s black cab fleet.