Taxi drivers in Mid Sussex can keep electric cabs and PHVs five years longer than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles in a bid to encourage greener motoring.
Mid Sussex District Council has backed calls to increase the 10-year age limit of vehicles in a bid to help taxi and PHV drivers with ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
EV switch
The Sussex Express reports that while licensing authorities are encouraging greener motoring, drivers felt the 10-year limit put extra pressure on them, especially when they have made substantial investment in making the switch.
The council, which covers Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead in West Sussex, launched an eight-week public consultation after being contacted by taxi drivers who felt the 10-year limit could steer drivers away from EVs.
Councillor Simon Hicks told the licensing committee the change would be “fairer to drivers with electric vehicles”.
“Electric vehicles have fewer mechanical wear points, are cheaper to run and deliver environmental benefits in line with our net-zero aspirations and the sustainable economic policy strategy of this council.”
EV expense
The committee was told that driver Baiju Cherukattu Paily had contacted the council with concerns about the price of an EV and the 10-year limit imposed by licensing conditions.
The council heard that moving to an electric car had been “a significant decision for him from both a financial and environmental position”.
He added that the 10-year limit put “considerable pressure on drivers as electric cars were more expensive and it took longer to recover the initial investment in the vehicle”.
He told the committee that increasing the length of time EVs can be used as taxis will encourage more drivers to make the switch.
Sustainability
He said: “Allowing a limited extension for well-maintained electric vehicles that continue to pass all safety inspections could support both environmental objectives and the sustainability of drivers who have invested in cleaner vehicles.”
The drivers rightly point out that making the switch to EVs is not only in line with their own and the council’s environmental targets, it also goes towards maintaining the highest standards of service and safety for customers.
Well-maintained vehicles – especially EVs which have fewer moving parts – should be able to last longer providing taxi services across the district.
While drivers face an expensive up-front investment to make the switch, lower running costs and longer use from it mean they can deliver the same service without putting themselves under financial pressure.
Consistency
The Sussex Express notes that neighbouring authorities such as Arun, Adur, Rother, Wealden and Brighton & Hove all have a 15-year limit for electric vehicles, while Chichester does not impose any age restrictions on EVs.
The change is the first in eight years in which three consultations were held without altering the age-limit of taxis and PHVs licensed by the authority.
The change of policy does not require public consultation or council approval and has been agreed by the assistant director for communities.
It sends the right message to passengers who can enjoy the benefits of an environmentally sustainable fleet and gives drivers a realistic prospect of recouping their significant investment in making the switch to electric.
