You don’t need to share your cab with Greta Thunberg to know that we are currently facing a global climate crisis.
Reducing carbon emissions has never been more important, and with a 58% rise in the number of licensed taxis and PHVs in England alone over the last fifteen years, it’s easy to see why the government, local councils as well as customers are asking cabbies to do their bit.
Here at Patons, in the last twelve months, we’ve seen the number of electric cabs we insure more than double. But with cleaner, greener motoring becoming more important than ever, what does this mean for taxi drivers?
From a recent poll carried out on social media about ‘going electric’, we know that a third of our policy holders felt they needed more information on the subject.
So, here are a few facts:
- You can claim a government ‘plug-in taxi’ grant for trading in early
- Electric taxis benefit from reduced road tax rates
- There are now more charging locations than petrol stations across the UK
Maybe the biggest influence of all however will come from customers themselves, with people choosing to ride in electric vehicles over their polluting counterparts. Not only will their conscience be clean, but they also get to enjoy a smoother ride.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“Taxi drivers up and down the country are playing a leading role in reducing air pollution in our city centres where people live, shop and work.”
With an electric future clearly ahead of us, maybe it’s not just about saving the planet but saving our trade too.
If you would like to find out more about going electric, click on the articles below:
- What 2020 and the rise of the EV will mean for taxi drivers – Taxi Point
- Wireless taxi charging to be trialled at Nottingham station – BBC News
- First 100% electric black cab for 120 years launches in London – The Guardian
- Taxi, Take me to the future! – Liverpool City Council
- Or listen to ‘Our Electric Future?’ a podcast from the LTDA (Licensed Taxi Drivers Association)
