Quicab e-assisted cycle taxis for London!

Aim

Show the world the taxi has come of age: introducing beautiful, low carbon electric-assist cycle-'taxis' to London!

Quicab's extraordinary 'taxi-cycle' has the potential to revolutionise door-to-door serviced travel in our congested cities whilst making better use of space, reducing air pollution and providing employment. 

Now is our moment. Cities are changing as politicians realise that nano-particulate pollution from tyres, dust and brake wear accounts for 93% of airborne pollutants, affecting people's respiratory health and reducing our ability to resist coughs and colds. Regional mayors are actively pursuing policies to remove cars from central urban areas. 

In the capital, the City of London Corporation is introducing restrictions on through traffic, introducing filtered permeability and prioritising pedestrians in street redesigns. The first big project, Bank Junction, will see a six-armed major intersection closed to general motor traffic following the current trial. Space for inefficient modes is being squeezed in favour of safer, more efficient and more nimble alternatives. This kind of environment, emerging, is ripe for cycle based transport solutions. They just need a little pump-priming to get going, and that's where you come in.

By helping to fund the very first Quicab, your contribution will establish a 'proof of concept' to test the potential market for cycled taxis - to prove that the vehicles are a step up from old-style pedicabs and a useful component of a low carbon transport network. Its first proper job will be to provide a free shuttle service on Hammersmith Bridge.

Everything about Quicab suggests 'taxi' - its appearance and then the sense of being chauffeured swiftly along city streets to arrive at your destination fresh faced and unruffled in your best business outfit. 

Yet the difference is this - Quicab is, well, Quicker. Even at its sedate top assisted speed of 15mph you feel whisked along - using cycleways to bypass traffic jams, legally permitted to travel the 'wrong way' along many City one way streets, and able to go through the cycle gaps provided in road closures. Permeability is key to Quickness, and Quicab takes full advantage. Quicker journeys completed, more passengers carried. And there is the possibility, if needed, of registering and licensing Quicabs with higher power outputs as vehicles able to travel at higher speeds. 

The taxi has come of age.

Summary of proposal:

• The Quicab will be manufactured in Sweden. It is a 'taxi' attachment (adapted semi-trailer) added to a Velove Armadillo 'front end', making in total a six wheeled vehicle.
• The Velove Armadillo is already in daily use in London by two cargo-bike logistics companies (DHL and ZEDIFY).
• The Quicab costs about £16,000, although £10,000 is the lower target raise. Additional funds are requested up to a rounded total of £25,000 to cover transport to the UK, import VAT, storage, insurance, spares and other set-up costs. 
• The Quicab will be a business (I've decided) - in addition to my ActivePlanning consultancy. It will provide rental opportunities for events, self-employed 'drivers' and logistics / passenger transport companies who want to take it on. There will be scope to expand and diversify.
• The business plan is a leasing model. Vehicles will be available for a monthly rental for a minimum period to individuals, hotels, City businesses, and so on, where there is a need or opportunity to move people. Advertising will enable affordable rents to be achieved - helping fledgling start-ups to become established.
• The Quicab will be accessible as follows: it can be used by users of foldable non-powered wheelchairs who are able to access a standard saloon car. Wheelchair and buggy storage is being considered. Grab handles will be added. The vehicle will be accessible by people with sensory impairments with guidance if required. I am investigating the potential for conversions that will enable unfolded wheelchairs to be carried safely.

Partnership with Environmental Transport Association

The Environmental Transport Association has very kindly agreed to:

• Host the receiving bank account for the project and then to purchase the Quicab(s) on my behalf.
• Make the best use of their huge customer and follower base to attract funding.
• Provide their name as backing for this project - to give confidence to people donating towards this cause that this is the 'real thing'.

Operation

In a previous version of this Crowdfunder I said that I would be operating the Quicab as a 'demonstrator' and not as a fully-fledged business (although it would be hired out occasionally to bring some income). I now pledge to create a business, but the first Quicab will still be used mainly to trial its potential. Depending on uptake I plan to build a fleet and for this I will create a legal business entity and launch a separate crowdfunder as an investment.

Currently, besides the crowdfunder, the fledgling business is inviting business loans with affordable APR (3%) for the cost of purchasing the first Quicab, with repayments starting six month after the initial investment. Only one application will be accepted. The return on investment is significantly better than the average ISA - although it must be declared for tax purposes.

Meet the supplier: Quicab

Quicab is a Swedish start-up that has gained access to government and commercial financial backing for product and business development. The company has produced a high quality prototype vehicle which is really catching people's imaginations.

The company director, Eric Zinn, is a civil engineer who has worked on environmental projects. He already has a business related to his Velomobiles (a WAW rider) and has secured a mixture of financial backing and innovation grants to build more demonstration prototypes.  

Quicabs are an adaptation to the Velove Armadillo cargo cycle and semi-trailer. Velove is more established and their vehicles are already being sold to multi-national logistics companies including DHL.

Quicabs will be accessible to users of foldable wheelchairs who can currently access standard saloon cars. Grab handles will be added. The vehicle will be accessible to people with sensory impairments with guidance if required; however it may not be possible to accommodate guide dogs. The manufacturer is being asked to consider means of carrying folded wheelchairs and buggies.

Costs

Here is the Quicab website: it's got price lists, detailed specifications, contact and pre-order details. They Tweet at @thequicab. The taxi attachment is fitted to a Velove Armadillo cargo-bike chassis. Velove has recently purchased more manufacturing capacity to meet demand. If for any reason Quicab doesn't work as a concept, the Armadillo can be converted back to being a cargo-logistics cycle, thereby minimising losses and wastage.

There may also be the potential option (being explored) of adding a roll-on/roll-off cargo-box semi-trailer to the unit to enable carrying of both passengers and freight.

The costs per Quicab are summarised thus, in Euros (EUR):

• Velove.se Armadillo quadricycle: EUR 8,190
• Adapted semi-trailer with Quicab passenger carrying unit EUR 7,960 
• Driver weather-shelter: EUR 1,840
• Total vehicle cost EUR 18,175 inc import VAT (rounded to lower Crowdfunder target in GBP of £16,000)
• Allowance for delivery, extra items and initial storage costs including the option of cycling the Quicabs home from Sweden! EUR 10,000 (rounded)
• Total requirement for one Quicab EUR 28,175 (rounded up in GBP to nearest £5,000 = upper target of £25,000).

About your contribution and how it will be used

Your contribution will enable the beginnings of a further revolution in cycle transport, going right to the heart of what London considers 'iconic' - the "dirty old taxi". The first vehicle will be used as a 'platform' to launch a new and exciting enterprise.

Initial indications of business potential are very positive, but I really need to bring a demonstrator to the UK to be sure. I am currently writing a business plan with a view to operating a leasing business with a fleet. Investors will be sought as a result. The new business established will be called City Rickshaws of London - a memory of my wonderful Indian rickshaw business in London, although the vehicles and operating model will be quite unlike the unruly pedicabs you see in London at the moment.

For administrative purposes (including the formation of a potential business entity with assets or the selling on of the vehicles) the Quicab(s) will be owned by my existing business, ActivePlanning.  

Sponsorship

Sponsoring the Quicab will result in all-over advertising as pictured with the exception of a panel for the names of those donating. Please contact me for more information. 

Further assurance

I have secured endorsement and practical support from the Environmental Transport Association. The organisation has been keen to use its name to demonstrate its trust in this project. The ETA has provided the bank account into which your contributions will go. Our anticipated timetable for spending the Crowdfund will be:

• Once the funding is raised, a deposit will be forwarded to Quicab of sufficient value to place a definite order (assuming the minimum one Quicab). 
• During this stage, Quicab will send update photos and news, showing the vehicle(s) being made. Updates will be available on the ActivePlanning and ETA websites. You can watch the thing you've sponsored come to life!
• The remaining payment, plus delivery costs, will be forwarded to Quicab once the taxis are completed and have been fully tested in Sweden.

Rewards!

If you donate over £30, you will be very welcome to take the Quicab out on 'self-drive' hire with two friends / family members (the capacity of the vehicle) at a maximum equivalent rate of £30 per hour. 

The person making largest single donation of £1,000 or above will be treated to a five-course taster lunch for two at the Michelin-starred Hide in West London to the value of £280 (or prices current at the time of the reward). The restaurant featured in this year's MasterChef final. 

Your name will also appear on the side panel. You will be required to leave a deposit, undergo safety training and a short trial on-road circuit and to pass a brief competence and care assessment prior to taking the vehicle. I will even take a picture of you enjoying your Quicab experience and Tweet it if you like!

What happens if the crowdfunder fails?

This crowdfunder is an "all or nothing" raise. If I do not meet the lower target of £10,000 you pay nothing. If I receive funding from other sources such as sponsorship I may be able to reduce the lower target during the raise.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 25th January 2020