Battery capacity is measured in kWh, not "kw".jake14mw wrote:I can't imagine being able to use a 24kw model as a taxi/shuttle, given how often you would need to charge it. Also, there is not much cargo room, and while the back seat is not tiny, I would not want it as my taxi or shuttle ride.
I don't know what you mean by "not much cargo room" as the trunk is only about 1 cubic foot smaller than that of a Prius (based on a quick Google search), and at least here in SoCal that's a popular car for taxi fleets, particularly as Crown Vics start to disappear (Ford stopped production of them over 6 years ago).jake14mw wrote:Which Leaf do you have? I can't imagine being able to use a 24kw model as a taxi/shuttle, given how often you would need to charge it. Also, there is not much cargo room, and while the back seat is not tiny, I would not want it as my taxi or shuttle ride.
Third generation Pruises are popular cabs in part because there is no rear liftover barrier to easily and repeatedly loading and unloading cargo. I don't know about the 4th gen Prius, but the Leaf definitely has a liftover problem.I don't know what you mean by "not much cargo room" as the trunk is only about 1 cubic foot smaller than that of a Prius
I don't think liftover height is a big deciding factor for taxi fleets, based on the number of Ford Escape Hybrids I've seen as taxis especially in the NYC area. They're popular because 1. they're relatively affordable, and 2. they get terrific fuel mileage. Taxis, like cop cars, sit idling for long periods of time waiting for passengers, only difference is one's passengers are voluntary, the other's isn'tLeftieBiker wrote:Third generation Pruises are popular cabs in part because there is no rear liftover barrier to easily and repeatedly loading and unloading cargo. I don't know about the 4the gen Prius, but the Leaf definitely has a liftover problem.I don't know what you mean by "not much cargo room" as the trunk is only about 1 cubic foot smaller than that of a Prius
If range (and presumably charging) is not an issue then you should be talking to local cabbies.tattoogunman wrote:Is anyone on here operating their Leaf as a taxi or shuttle? I'm kicking around an idea and was wanting to talk to people who may be doing this. I'm aware of the Leaf's limitations and my idea involves extremely limited distances, so range shouldn't be an issue for what I'm looking at.
The deep well of the Leaf's cargo area is both an advantage and a disadvantage. If you have "boxy" things that can otherwise fit in that area, you can put fairly large items like that suitcase I mentioned. I can put two such suitcases in my Leaf, but not in the eGolf without having to fold the back seat down.SageBrush wrote:I find the hatch area in the LEAF to be markedly inferior to our Prius and even our Prius Prime, but that reflects the sort of stuff I want to haul. Perhaps it is OK for suitcases.
I think the issue is more the wheel wells that leave less available width. Length is OK and of course height is superior.RonDawg wrote:The deep well of the Leaf's cargo area is both an advantage and a disadvantage. If you have "boxy" things that can otherwise fit in that area, you can put fairly large items like that suitcase I mentioned. I can put two such suitcases in my Leaf, but not in the eGolf without having to fold the back seat down.SageBrush wrote:I find the hatch area in the LEAF to be markedly inferior to our Prius and even our Prius Prime, but that reflects the sort of stuff I want to haul. Perhaps it is OK for suitcases.
But large flat-ish objects that already require the seat to be folded are a bit of a pain unless you can find something to support it over the well, like a false floor or some other object.