How is a Tesla taxi possible, business wise?

[Darren Donovan]

I'm visiting Stockholm and just saw a Tesla taxi. I'm curious how it's possible business-wise, with the cost of the car being what it is. I also saw one in Brugge, Belgium, but not a taxi. That was pretty cool also!

 

[kritlop]

They have them in Amsterdam as well. I took one from the airport to my hotel. I thought it was so cool, but it does seem like a really expensive car to use as a taxi.

 

[MikeC]

With what taxis in Stockholm charge, they should all be Teslas! I made the mistake of paying like US$200 to go from the airport to the city.

 

[Bridor]

I love it - this would only be possible if you were also using the Tesla as your primary residence. Or you were laundering money for the mob...



Brent

 

[ZachShahan]

In the Netherlands, where there are a lot, there were strong business tax incentives for EVs, which made the huge fleet of Tesla taxis sensible.

I'm not sure what the situation is in Sweden. Naturally, there are bigger "fuel" savings the more you drive (an EV vs an ICE car), which is a bonus for taxi drivers. Would just have to crunch the numbers for rates in Sweden and EV incentives to figure out how this can work out for a taxi driver/business.

 

[Darren Donovan]

Ouch! I paid around $50 for an ICE taxi from Arlanda airport to the city center.

 

[182RG]

I'm visiting Stockholm and just saw a Tesla taxi. I'm curious how it's possible business-wise, with the cost of the car being what it is.

Socialist country. High individual income taxes. Heavy subsidies for EV.

 

[pdxrajiv]

Also in Socialist USA.
About EcoCab | Taxi Cab Service | Longview WA | EcoCab LLC

I saw one in our parking lot a couple of months ago.

 

[S'toon]

First Tesla Taxi in America after 100,000 miles: Why every taxi driver should consider going electric

 

[f-stop]

I'm visiting Stockholm and just saw a Tesla taxi...

I was also in Stockholm last week and spotted the same taxi !
Random Model S sightings

 

[Austin Powers]

On my recent trip to Portland, saw one. Fully decked out in Taxicab Yellow

 

[Woody17]

In Los Angeles, we have uberLUX...which the MS qualifies for. Here is the list copied and pasted from
http://losangeles.ubermovement.com/uberlux/

I'd say its in great company:

Eligible Vehicles

• AUDI - A8
• BMW - 7 SERIES
• JAGUAR - XJ
• LAND ROVER - RANGE ROVER
• LEXUS - LS
• MERCEDES BENZ - S CLASS

• MERCEDES BENZ - G CLASS
• PORSCHE - PANAMERA
• TESLA - MODEL S
• BENTLEY - ALL 4-DOOR MODELS
• MAYBACH - ALL 4-DOOR MODELS
• ROLLS ROYCE - ALL 4-DOOR MODELS

 

[bob_p]

If someone wanted to get into the Tesla taxi business - and have a fleet of several Teslas, it would make sense to work with Tesla and get a dedicated supercharger - that could be used for the fleet - so the cars could get quick charges - and be back on the road within 30 minutes.

 

[googlepeakoil]

Very simple.
Figure that in Europe 80% of petrol prices is tax. Petrol in the UK has come down a bit to £1.10 a litre from £1.20. £1.35 at it's highest. There's about 4.5 litres in a US gallon. At exchange rate of $1.3 = £1 that's $6-7 a gallon.
That filling say about a 15ish gallon Mercedes with petrol would cost £80.
That Tesla talked about people over-using superchargers - I believe it was Holland / Denmark where there's a fleet of them parked at the local supercharger.
It'a taxi with free fuel! After a persons time the cost of fuel is far greater than depreciation on a vehicle you hope will last 10-15years.
On a greek island the most common taxi was a mercedes. It was 15-20 years old and had done 2.5million miles (1 engine rebuild said the driver). If Tesla's have less moving parts then maybe one day they'll be as reliable. Current buyers are probably hoping so.

 

[Just a Reader]

Here in Frankfurt we've got a Panamera and a new S Class taxi. With most taxis being newish E Class series I don't know how that works out economically.
BTW, Uber left Frankfurt as professional operators had no interest in working with them.

 

[buffalox]

First time snapping a Tesla Taxi this morning!

Basel Airport, French Side

 

[Legato]

I know this is an old thread, but since no-one have the correct reason I figured I would write.

The reason Tesla makes sense as a taxi in Stockholm is not incentives (total incentive is less than $5000). The reason is that Teslas pass the (sometimes several hours long) que to pick up customers at Arlanda Airport. Other environmentally friendly cars get a good rank and short que, but only pure Electric cars pass the entire line.

 

[kort677]

I'm visiting Stockholm and just saw a Tesla taxi. I'm curious how it's possible business-wise, with the cost of the car being what it is.

between the heavy subsidies given by the government there on the purchase and not needing to purchase highly taxed fuel, the car is well suited for use as a taxi there.

 

[Pezpunk]

with Europe's high fuel prices and generous EV incentives, why WOULDN'T you use a Tesla for your Taxi service?

 

[AndrewTX]

between the heavy subsidies given by the government there on the purchase and not needing to purchase highly taxed fuel, the car is well suited for use as a taxi there.

Just above an actual Swede explains that the incentives provided to purchase BEVs are not so heavy.