Taxi Driver Online

Black taxis to go green with £45m investment


From today local authorities are invited to bid for feasibility studies to prepare for the rollout of these vehicles in their fleets.

A £20 million fund will be made available to local authorities to support the rollout of ultra-low emission taxis across the UK.

The money will be available to reduce the upfront cost of purpose built taxis and to install charging infrastructure for taxi and private hire use.

Business Minister Matthew Hancock said: “Low emission vehicles are the future and show that we can meet our climate change obligations in a way that enhances technology. I’m looking forward to the roll-out of greener taxis across the UK and have no doubt that with the support of Geely this will happen very quickly.”

A further £25 million has been set aside specifically for the Greater London Area to help taxi drivers cover the cost of upgrading to a greener vehicle.

All taxis will also qualify for the government’s plug-in car grant.

The news follows Geely’s announcement today outlining plans for a new £250 million state of the art facility to produce the next generation of low-emission London Black Taxis.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “As London strives towards the greenest taxi fleet from 2018, it is essential to support the taxi trade in the transition to cleaner vehicles. With the additional funds announced today, more help is on the way for taxi drivers to upgrade to the latest technology in zero-emission capable cabs.”

Geely, who owns the iconic London Taxi Company, was awarded £17 million from the government’s Regional Growth Fund to build this facility, which will create 1,000 local jobs and ensure the London black taxi continues to be designed, developed and made in the UK.

http://www.fleetpoint.org/environment-n ... ent/29424/

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

£20 million spent nationally will hardly whet the appetite of a hard working Cabby to become a single themed Green obsessive.

It will be a few selected LA's that apply. Which will apply? Which will get selected?

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Even if a council did get selected what's betting they wank the money into thin air.

Help with upfront costs - How much for each proprietor that will give it a go?

Where and how many charging points?

Will they buy them back when they are KRAP so the proprietor can get something that works?

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related