Smart way to make taxis in Peterborough ‘greener’AMBITIOUS proposals for environmentally friendly two door cars to be used as taxis in Peterborough look set to be given the green light by councillors.
Taxi firm Green Leaf Cars, in Lynch Wood, which already prides itself on using environmentally friendly vehicles, is looking to expand its fleet and add a diesel version of the single passenger “Fortwo” Smart car.
As it currently stands the firm would be prevented from licensing the Smart car as a taxi as regulations state that taxis must have a minimum of four doors and an engine capacity of no less than 1300cc.
The venture is seen as helping to bolster the city’s claim to be the home of the UK’s Environment Capital.
The plans, which will be discussed at a meeting of Peterborough City Council’s licensing committee on Thursday, have been recommended for approval by officers.
Officers have warned that they do not want to remove current requirements but propose to separately approve the use of Smart cars - paving the way for the vehicles to be used across the city.
And the council has allayed fears that the single capacity vehicles will not be suitable for journeys in the city.
A council spokeswoman said: “Green Leaf Cars have carried out research which suggests that between 60 and 80 per cent of journeys are single person trips, depending on the time of day.
“Our own research, drawn up for the National Travel Survey, suggests that depending on the time of day 40 per cent would be a more realistic figure.
“The operator is committed to providing a more environmentally friendly private hire service and has already licensed a hybrid Toyota Prius.
“On discovering the mpg and carbon emissions statistics relating to the Smart car, the operator is interested in providing one of these vehicles as on option for single travellers.”
She added: “Smart car vehicles have strong environmental qualifications and many of the car’s components are made from renewable raw materials and 100 per cent recycled plastic.”
The council wants taxi operators to be required to address individual safety issues.
The spokeswoman added: “It is recognised in the industry that some passengers, especially lone females may feel uncomfortable at having to sit alongside, rather than behind the driver.
“It would be expected that any issues would be addressed by the operator at the time of the booking.”
Current rules also state that taxis must have enough space to store wheelchairs, guide dogs and luggage.
A spokesman for Green Leaf Cars said that the company did not want to comment on the proposals before the meeting.
The Smart car, officially known as the Smart fortwo, was originally known as the Smart City Coupe and first rolled out in 1998. The car is a two-seater with an engine in the rear, and is built in France by Smart Gmbh, a division of Daimler AG. Smart cars are small, averaging less than nine feet long and just more than five feet in height and width. The cars have a top speed of 91 mph.
FACTFILE... on Green Leaf Cars
Green Leaf Cars, based in Lynch Wood, claim to be Peterborough’s first taxi firm to pledge a commitment to purchasing only vehicles that produce the lowest emissions of any permitted vehicle type of their class.
The firm’s current fleet includes the award winning Toyota Prius which utilises Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive - full hybrid technology that can operate in petrol mode, electric mode and a combination of the two. It has the lowest Co2 emissions in its class.
A spokesman for the firm said: “By choosing to use Green Leaf Cars you won’t be paying any extra on your journey but you will be helping to save the environment.”
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