Addison Lee is trialling five Audi e-trons for six months, as the taxi firm investigates the suitability of fully electric cars on its fleet.

The vehicles are being used as part of Addison Lee’s corporate chauffer service.

Andy Boland, CEO of Addison Lee Group, said: “Our partnership with Audi combines two premium brands in making a significant step towards next-generation, sustainable mobility solutions, and continues to position Addison Lee Group at the forefront of innovation in ground transportation services.

“This pilot demonstrates the power of combining two large scale, established and premium brands to make a significant and positive impact on cities and air quality, over and above individual initiatives at a local level. Following our achievement of ULEZ compliance for the whole Addison Lee Group fleet, this is the next major step on the road to achieving a 100% low emissions fleet.”

By generating data-driven insights, the pilot will allow Addison Lee Group to fully evaluate the role and requirements of electric vehicles in its fleet of the future and inform operational decisions that help determine the fleet choices the business will make, as it moves to a 100% low emission fleet.

The Audi e-tron is priced from £71,000 and has a range of 241 miles.

Andrew Doyle, director of Audi UK, said: “The e-tron is the perfect catalyst for the transition into electrification for a global ground transportation business like Addison Lee Group – its incredible refinement and performance suggest that it is something out of the ordinary, but in terms of usability, quality, design and engineering it will be a home-from-home for anyone familiar with a modern day Audi. I am confident that it will slot seamlessly into the chauffeur transport role for drivers and passengers alike.”

The trial started on May 21.