Taxi Driver Online

Birmingham: Pollution-busting taxi scheme announced


A new pollution-busting project will see the city council work with taxi operators to convert up to 80 Hackney Carriage cabs to run on Liquid Propane Gas (LPG).

Funding of £500,000 from the Government’s Clean Vehicle Technology fund has been secured for the scheme – overwhelmingly supported at a meeting of Hackney Carriage drivers, operators and the RMT union.

It is hoped the converted vehicles will help the council’s effort to reduce harmful nitrogen dioxide emissions, which have been reported to be above EU target levels in certain hotspots across the city.

The Birmingham Air Quality Management Area action plan focuses on Broad Steet, Navigation Street and New Street Station – all areas where taxis frequently operate.

Cllr Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for a Green, Smart and Sustainable City, said: “This is a great boost for the council’s ambition to promote the uptake of low and zero carbon vehicles.

“We know there are some hotspots that need to be addressed, but these cabs will act as a showcase for cleaner technologies which could be used on a much wider basis.

“Many visitors, residents and those working in Birmingham pass through the hotspot areas, so it is only right to do everything we can to protect them from pollution that is known to be a contributory factor in hundreds of premature deaths every year.

“I hope the fact that so many cabs will be converted will act as inspiration to other fleet operators to consider making a similar investment into their vehicles. We will also continue exploring all other avenues as part of the effort to tackle the challenges we face on emissions.”

The scheme will be marketed through the council’s existing licensing networks with the taxi community. The focus is on 300 older vehicles in hotspot areas.

It is expected that the 80 selected vehicles will all be fitted with the LPG technology by the end of March 2015.

source: http://birminghamnewsroom.com/2014/10/p ... announced/

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

£6,250 a pop?

_________________
IDFIMH

The average cost of converting a 4-cylinder vehicle to run on LPG should be around £1,200 – £1,500 (prices may vary depending on vehicle type, age, condition, specification of conversion kit and is intended as a guide only).

£6250 per vehicle to convert Probably more than the vehicles worth if they're over 4 years old.

Or they could buy nearly 30 brand new Auris hybrids. Which is better for the environment
Or they could agree to pay half the cost of 60 vehicles for those replacing old vehicles with new hybrids

How can the cost of a conversion be more than a completely new engine ?!?

A diesel is considerably more, £1200 will get you a back street job which might blow up.

Presumably the Council want it done properly good idea glad to see the RMT in there

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Maybe that's where the rest of the money is going.

_________________
IDFIMH