Blackpool’s Premier Taxis replaces hybrids with MG 5 electric estates, taking EV fleet over 100 cars

Blackpool-based Premier Taxis has added five new MG 5 electric cars to its fleet. Premier is one of the largest EV taxi operators in the UK, with more than 100 electric cars, mainly Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 models. 

The Chinese-made MG5 is capable of around 200 miles on a single charge and is one of the most keenly priced EVs on the market, costing around £25,000. The MG5 estates will replace Toyota Auris hybrid estates in the Premier fleet.

Premier Taxis managing director John Cutler said: “The public are going to travel in a mode of transport that is not adding to the pollution problems in the town and we have got a climate emergency situation in Blackpool.”

Driver Steve Foster, who has taken on one of the MG5s, told the local Evening Gazette: “I have already been managing more than 200 miles on a single charge. I plug it in at home at 5pm and that will last me until the following day at 5pm. Our old Ford Mondeos cost £22 to get to Manchester Airport which dropped to £13 with the Toyotas. With the MG it will cost hardly anything for the same trip so they make great sense for a taxi driver.”