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Union claims Dundee trade switching back from EVs to diesel
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Author:  StuartW [ Fri Mar 22, 2019 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Union claims Dundee trade switching back from EVs to diesel
Claims electric taxi drivers are switching back to diesel ahead of Dundee council charging fees

https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/c ... e-council/

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Taxi drivers who switched to electric cars are switching back to fossil fuel engines ahead of the council introducing fees for charging their cars, it has been claimed.

The Tele understands a number of drivers have either made the switch from electric vehicles (EVs) to traditional diesel-powered cars, or are in the process of doing so.

Frustrated drivers say the added cost of paying for charging means EVs will cost more to own in the long run than conventional cars.

The Tele revealed in January Dundee City Council was set to introduce fees for electric car charging later this year, following similar moves by other councils such as Dumfries and Galloway.

However, the charge plan has been criticised by drivers who bought EVs because of the promise of free charging, which are said to offset the extra costs associated with buying one.

Chris Elder, local Unite the Union taxi representative, claimed drivers would end up spending as much on charging their cars as they would filling up on diesel. As a result, he said, there was no longer an incentive to switch.

“If Dundee charges the same rates as Dumfries and Galloway it would cost drivers £10-12 to charge them up,” Mr Elder said.

“If they’re charging that Saturday and into Sunday they’re looking at possibly £40 in all for charging – plus the cars are more expensive.”

A basic model Nissan Leaf – a popular EV taxi in Dundee – is £27,995, including a £3,500 government grant. However, the diesel Skoda Octavia saloon is £20,000.

Dundee City Council has been persuading locals to buy EVs to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.

It has spent millions on dedicated electric charging hubs across the city and rapid chargers inside its multi-storey car parks.

Because EVs do not produce emissions, they are immediately better for air quality than an equivalent conventionally fuelled car.

Mr Elder insists taxi drivers are awake to the environmental benefits of electric taxis.

He said: “The council has jumped the gun. We should be incentivised to choose low-emission vehicles like hybrids and when the infrastructure is there look at electric vehicles. It is ridiculous they are thinking of charging fees now.”

Dundee City Council was approached for comment ahead of going to press.
Author:  Nidge2 [ Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Union claims Dundee trade switching back from EVs to die
It was always going to happen, if the Council can see a way to make money they'll charge for it.
Author:  StuartW [ Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Union claims Dundee trade switching back from EVs to die
Quote:
“If Dundee charges the same rates as Dumfries and Galloway it would cost drivers £10-12 to charge them up,” Mr Elder said.

“If they’re charging that Saturday and into Sunday they’re looking at possibly £40 in all for charging – plus the cars are more expensive.”


As usual suspect there's a lot more to this than meets they eye.

For a start, if an HC licence is transferred then the vehicle has to be electric - the 'E' plates.

Saw a PH in Dundee a few days ago which also had an E plate. Wondered what that was all about, but seems that any new PH plates will only be issued to EVs, and that this has been the policy since 2016 now (think I knew that at the time, but kind of slipped my mind because the whole EV thing didn't seem such a big deal even three years ago).

Dundee City Council wrote:
POLICY ON TYPE OF VEHICLES PERMITTED AS PRIVATE HIRE CARS

The Licensing Committee, at its meeting held on 1st September, 2016, agreed that any new licences granted for Private Hire Cars will have a condition to the effect that only an electric vehicle from the approved list can be placed on service. Any subsequent replacement vehicles operated under these new licences will also need to be from the approved list of electric vehicles.

The current approved electric vehicles are:-

Nissan Leaf (Saloon)
Renault Zoe (Saloon)
Kia Soul (Saloon)
Nissan NV200 (WAV)

Applicants wishing to operate as airport transfer vehicles ONLY should request a variation disapplying the electric vehicle condition. This should be done in writing and the request will go before the members of the Licensing Committee. Applicants should not purchase any vehicle until such time as members have granted the variation.


So the big unsaid in the article is basically that for that for many HCs and PHs there's no choice in the matter - they *have* to run an EV.

Don't know the numbers, but suspect the numbers *voluntarily* running EVs who *do* have the choice to switch back to petrols or diesels is pretty small, but I'm not sure.
Author:  StuartW [ Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Union claims Dundee trade switching back from EVs to die
Nidge2 wrote:
It was always going to happen, if the Council can see a way to make money they'll charge for it.


Yes, and they've got the new plates by the knackers, because they've no choice but to run an EV.
Author:  StuartW [ Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Union claims Dundee trade switching back from EVs to die
Meant to ask a few days ago if the Dundee policy for new PH plates is unusual? Of course, a bit different for HCs, but can't recall anything quite so draconian as only EVs for *all* new PH plates?
Author:  Sussex [ Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Union claims Dundee trade switching back from EVs to die
Quote:
Chris Elder, local Unite the Union taxi representative, claimed drivers would end up spending as much on charging their cars as they would filling up on diesel. As a result, he said, there was no longer an incentive to switch.

What apart from helping folks breath a bit better?
Author:  Sussex [ Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Union claims Dundee trade switching back from EVs to die
Quote:
Meant to ask a few days ago if the Dundee policy for new PH plates is unusual? Of course, a bit different for HCs, but can't recall anything quite so draconian as only EVs for *all* new PH plates?

I'm a massive fan of electric vehicles, but that policy is unique and draconian.
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