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London proposes zero-emission capable taxi fleet


Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation on the proposed changes to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing ahead of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which will be introduced in central London in 2020.

The consultation contains two key proposals. The first proposal is that, from January 1, 2018, all newly licensed taxis and new Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) must be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC), defined as pure electric or hybrid electric vehicles capable of running in zero emission mode for all or part of the time. The proposals will be supported by a £65m (US$101m) fund to ‘decommission’ the oldest vehicles from the fleet and encourage the take up of new vehicles that will make London’s taxi fleet the cleanest and greenest in the world. TfL is working with a number of manufacturers and is confident that ZEC taxis will be available for sale from 2017, well ahead of the proposed requirement in 2018.

The second proposal is to retain the existing 15 year age limit for all taxis and to encourage retirement of the oldest most polluting taxis through a voluntary decommissioning scheme. From 2017, drivers of taxis over 10 years old would be able to claim up to an additional £5,000 (US$7,800), with the precise amount depending on the age of their vehicle. This is intended to reflect the current challenges facing the trade, while tackling London’s air quality in the most effective and sustainable way‎. With the new proposals, the overall ULEZ package is projected to nearly halve emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from vehicle exhausts in central London, equating to more than 80% of the area expected to meet the NO2 annual legal limits in 2020. The ULEZ would also lead to significant reduction in the number of people living in areas of poor air quality, where levels of NO2 exceed legal limits, by 72% in the city center and 54% London wide.

Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for surface transport, said, “The service provided by the taxi and private hire trades is a core ingredient to London’s position as a world-leading city, and we are pleased to consult on this package of changes. The Ultra Low Emission Zone will deliver significant improvements to air quality in the capital and its effects will be felt ahead of 2020. Indeed, we believe the £65m fund will encourage the uptake of cleaner, greener taxis well ahead of the 2020 deadline.” The consultation will run until August 11.

source: http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/n ... wsID=70749

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