News

Soaring fuel prices and looming net-zero carbon targets mean more people are considering switching to electric vehicles sooner rather than later.

As well as the environmental impact, EVs seemed to be the obvious choice for most drivers – until the cost of electricity shot up at the same rate as petrol and diesel.

With just a month to go before Manchester has to submit its revised Clean Air Zone plan to the government, there are calls for it to be reduced by 95 per cent to only include the city centre.

The original zone included all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, with thousands of taxi, bus, van and lorry drivers and businesses facing eye-watering charges for driving anywhere in the region from May 30.

As we look forward to celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this bank holiday, taxi drivers will be doing everything they can to help people get to and from events safely.

However people are celebrating, they will all be looking forward to raising a glass to toast her majesty’s 70-year reign.

As with standard car insurance, most taxi drivers take out annual cover and renew their taxi insurance policy every 12 months.

But there are cases where policies can be taken out to provide cover for only weeks or months at a time.

Patons Insurance is continuing to expand its taxi customer base in the North East.

Following the acquisition of Teesside-based insurance broker ‘SurePlan’ in 2020, from June this year, we will welcome Newcastle-based Bestford Insurances’ taxi insurance customers, too.

As technology improves and automated cars and self-driving cars are eventually allowed on Britain’s roads, lawyers don’t think drivers should be blamed when things go wrong.

Laws have been drawn up to allow driver-assistance technology to be used in limited ways initially on British roads, such as hands-free driving in vehicles with lane-keeping technology on congested motorways, up to 37mph.

As we continue to feel the pinch at the petrol pumps, taxi drivers across the country have been calling for a taxi fare increase.

While some are calling for modest increases, others feel action is needed and are calling for rises of 20% to help taxi drivers meet rising costs.

Taxi drivers are being urged not to risk vehicle safety when it comes to car maintenance as we all continue to feel the pinch.

The call comes as the cost of living continues to rise and soaring fuel prices mean it costs more to keep taxis on the road.

As drivers gear up to make the switch to electric vehicles, many are focusing on the cost, range and charging points of the green motors.

But there are also some key differences in the way an EV and a petrol and diesel car are driven, and it makes sense for people to consider taking lessons to get used to the new technology.

Switching from trusted diesel black cabs to an electric vehicle causes a dilemma for taxi drivers – when do they swap something that is reliable and has plenty of life left in it and shell out for an electric taxi?

With the ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol taxis from 2030, drivers have difficult decisions to make.

Whether you are new to taxi driving or are an experienced driver who wants to take the next step, there are some key points to setting up a private-hire taxi business.

It can seem complicated at first, but the most important thing to remember is that it is a business in a regulated industry and it has to be run properly.

The range of electric vehicles has been one of the biggest factors putting people off buying them, especially those who rely on them for a living, like taxi drivers.

While even the least-economical petrol and diesel cars can deliver 400-500 miles per tank, many suitable electric vehicles have been delivering ranges of below 200 miles.