After plug-in hybrid models became bestsellers in the private car market, sales have also recently spilled into the taxi sector. There too, the Jaecoo 7 became the best-selling vehicle this year, with 203 units, ahead of the Toyota Corolla (166), Hyundai Elantra (139), Toyota RAV4 (101), and Toyota Camry (79).
The market, which for years was dominated by diesel models from Mercedes and Skoda, has shifted to hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles after the state abolished the excise tax refund on diesel fuel. Electric vehicles, which are globally promoted as a zero-emissions solution for high-mileage drivers, are not receiving state support for use as taxis, and their sales in this segment remain marginal: Since the beginning of the year, five Mercedes EQE units, four Skoda Enyaq units, and three Model Y units have been registered in Israel, all via parallel import.
Now, BYD’s importer is strengthening its push into this market, having delivered 76 Seal U plug-in units and 73 Seal 5 plug-in units for taxis since the beginning of the year. The company is lowering the taxi version of the Seal by NIS 10,000, to NIS 79,000. The vehicle is offered with extended mileage warranty for taxi drivers, but a shorter time period: 300,000 km or four years. For an additional NIS 1,500, the warranty can be extended to half a million kilometers.
At this price, the Seal 5 costs about the same as a basic hybrid Hyundai Elantra taxi, but comes with more equipment, such as a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a sunroof, and 17-inch wheels. The Seal produces 212 horsepower compared to the Elantra’s 139 horsepower, and has an official electric range of 100 km. Fuel consumption in hybrid mode, when the battery is charged, ranges between 30 and 40 km per liter. When the battery is not charged, the official figure is 20.83 km per liter compared to the Elantra’s 22.72 km per liter, which is higher, as the Elantra is not a plug-in hybrid and cannot offer improved consumption after charging or an electric driving range.
A taxi driver who works mainly in the city can achieve fuel consumption of around 30 km per liter during a shift, and even more if working split shifts, as many do, but during peak hours in the morning and afternoon, the driver can recharge the battery during rest periods. As with private vehicles, the economic advantage is significantly higher for those who can install a home charging station and benefit from a tariff of NIS 0.65 per kWh. Charging at public stations is significantly more expensive and depends on availability.
In parallel with the shift to hybrid models, the taxi market has also moved toward purchasing crossovers in large numbers, although still less than in the private market: 50% of sales there are SUV models compared to 74% in the private market this year. BYD offers the Seal U plug-in for this segment at NIS 122,000, a price similar to the smaller Toyota Corolla Cross, and cheaper than the RAV4 taxi version, which is offered by the importer at NIS 154,000 and above.
Taxis can be cheaper than private cars because they are exempt from purchase tax and drivers can also reclaim VAT. The Toyota Corolla taxi starts at NIS 85,000, the Yaris Cross at NIS 101,000, the Hyundai Sonata at NIS 139,000, and the Toyota Camry at NIS 142,000.