OR RISK EXTINCTION
lThey want versatility and to be their own operator lThey want to pick up from the roadside lThey want an affordable vehicle to purchase lThey want to feel safe with an M1 fitted screen lThey want their passengers to feel safe and comfortable lThey want a reliable well built vehicle with great MPG lThey want multiple and flexible seating options lThey want the choice to run a WAV or a non-WAV minibus or car as a hackney vehicle
l If they want a WAV, they may want the option of a rear loading door that is safe and easy to load wheelchairs
THE FUTURE – GO ELECTRIC:
The reality is charges are coming: lThe Government has just announced that diesel and petrol engine vehicles will no longer be sold in UK from 2030
l Hybrid vehicles will no longer be sold in the UK from 2035 l In the near future hackney and PHV drivers, particularly in
large towns and cities, will incur daily CAZ charges unless they drive vehicles with low CO2 emissions or are fully electric or a WAV with a Euro 6 or above status; as is al- ready the case in London
l In Dundee ALL the trade has to use WAV Euro 5/6 or full EVs. But as these vehicles are so expensive to buy most drivers rent at a weekly cost of up to £350 (before lockdown) and those costs are likely to increase as demand increases
lAny WAV converted vehicles must not have the floor cut out or be drilled near the battery. So small rear loaders will have to remain as Derv until manufacturers design a rear loader that can be made around the EV
THE FUTURE – HERE AND NOW?
Will future hackney drivers or fleet owners invest in an EV hackney? Will hackney drivers go to PH as EVs are too expensive? Can drivers or fleet owners even get finance after Covid?
l If fleet owners did buy into the EV hackney market the rental would be extremely high, as in Dundee, where these full electric cars have a top hat and meter
l If regulated cities or councils started to allow a number of current licensed WAV-only hackneys to change to a rank vehicle or even a standard hybrid or full EV-only vehicle with top hat and meter then there could be a future. The plate values, if regulated, might go back up in the near future as drivers could reinvest and only pay for a more reliable vehicle with less running costs and fuel to pay just like the private hire market
lSelf charging hybrids compared to full EVs for now is the best form of hackney size as EVs are so heavy. Until cities put wireless underfloor charging pads beneath their ranks, which allow vehicles to recharge while on the rank, then this problem will continue. As most hackneyWAVs are so heavy,
DECEMBER 2020
the more customers that sit in a fully electric large vehicle, the less mileage can be covered
lSelf-charging hybrid vehicles can work longer shifts with less down time and have no dpf or injector issues. Also, as they are all automatic they emit less CO2 and will incur no charges in Clean Air Zones
l Drivers could be helped to purchase these vehicles when regulated with government grants. Furthermore, councils could also issue a number of free hackney plates. However in order to protect plate values, councils could set conditions by requiring a brand new full EV or MPV that has a top hat and meter and stipulating that all vehicles are a specific colour as other councils when issuing free licences. Any currently licensed hackney driver can upgrade his vehicle to a new hybrid vehicle and colour. Any currently licensed hackney driver can purchase a used Euro 6 vehicle and have a tested certification ramp conversion fitted into a minibus to meet WAV requirements
CALL TO COUNCILS:
Councils nationwide need to realise that in order for the hackney industry to continue into the future, there must be flexibility. The prohibitive costs for all hackney drivers to buy a vehicle that can accommodate all roles is financially unviable and unattainable. Change is needed otherwise the hackney trade will fail as EV costs in a WAV will be so high.
Halton BC, part of the Liverpool City region, allow these different vehicles to be licenced and is a great example for other councils to follow: A-Cab private hire, A-Cabbi hackney, E-Pass PH screened vehicle, E-Vision hackney, E-Cab and E- Cabbi are passed by adapting used vehicles.
IN CONCLUSION:
lWe need to adapt Euro 6 used multiple seated vehicles either to be WAVs or screened vehicles
lWe need to have a percentage of hackneys that do not do any wheelchair work to be allowed to go into EV cars
lWe need large shopping trolley and pram taxis to do the daily work that is required in most areas of the country
lWe need seating to be turned around in an EV for the type of work done on the ranks and for contract work
lWe need M1 status vehicles for council/insurance certification
There is no doubt that our industry is evolving and in order to survive the hackney trade needs to evolve with it. These are our thoughts on what we believe will ensure the future viability of the hackney industry – if you think this also, then group together and speak to your councils as without their support change cannot happen.
Article written by Shaun Marnell Director Car ‘n’ Cab Care Ltd 0151 678 3066/
www.carandcab.co.uk
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