Geely has launched a new ride-hailing brand called Limo (Limao Chuxing) that uses the LEVC TX5, a London-style electric taxi, as its sole operating vehicle. The service is currently available in four Chinese cities: Hangzhou, Huzhou, Dalian and Sanya, with plans to expand, according to a test drive report by Pacific Auto (太平洋汽车).
The TX5 is built by LEVC, a British company with roots dating back to 1908 that began making London taxis in 1948. Geely acquired LEVC outright in 2013 and jointly developed the TX5 as a new-energy vehicle in 2018. The car retains classic design cues such as round headlights and a C-shaped rear, but its cabin is anything but traditional.
Six seats, no boot, and a wheelchair ramp
The TX5 features coach-style doors that open up to 85 degrees at the front and 90 degrees at the rear, with a rear door opening 850mm wide. Inside, there is a driver's seat up front and a rear cabin with two rows of seats facing each other: one regular bench and three fold-down seats, all set on a flat wooden floor. The rear space measures 3.6 cubic metres, with 1.5 metres of headroom, and the high seating position (450mm) is said to be more comfortable than a typical SUV.
Because of the layout, there is no traditional boot, but luggage can be placed on the floor or in a front storage area. A hidden ramp under the right rear door, 786mm wide, allows wheelchairs and large prams to be rolled in, and four anchor points secure them. A rotating seat is also available for passengers with limited mobility. The cabin is separated from the driver by a 6mm polycarbonate partition, with an intercom for communication; passengers can switch it off for privacy.
Powertrain and pricing
The TX5 is offered as a BEV (battery-electric) or an EREV (range-extender) model. The BEV version uses a 68kWh lithium-ion battery with a claimed range of 410km on the CLTC cycle (roughly 328-349km WLTP, est.), and supports battery swap in about three minutes or fast charging from 0-80% in around 50 minutes. The EREV pairs a 1.5-litre turbo engine with a 120km electric-only range, giving a combined range of over 550km.
Limo's pricing is close to that of regular taxis and ride-hailing services, according to Pacific Auto. In Hangzhou, the flag-fall fare is 13 yuan (about $1.83) and the per-kilometre charge is 2.8 yuan (about $0.39), before taxes and incentives. The service can be booked through its own app or via Cao Cao Mobility, Ctrip and Fliggy, and also supports street hailing and phone booking.
Geely's existing ride-hailing platform Cao Cao Mobility focuses on basic transport needs, but Limo aims to fill gaps for families, people with large items, business travellers and those requiring accessible vehicles, the report said.
