GREEN MEANS GO
ELECTRIC TAXIS COMING TO BRISTOL AHEAD OF CLEAN AIR ZONE LAUNCH
Cabbies will be able to rent an electric taxi for up to a month ahead of the CAZ launching in November. Bristol City Council’s free electric vehicle (EV) hire scheme has been extended to
include licenced
hackney carriage drivers. The Bristol Post reports that in March, the council launched a new scheme offering free trials of EVs to Bristol organisations to encourage them to switch to cleaner ways of travelling ahead of the zone launching. Businesses, charities, sole traders and other organisations have the chance to trial EVs for up to two months. This comes after the council announced recently that temp- orary exemptions for the CAZ have been extended to the end of March next year. The CAZ will be launching on November 28 - over a year late, with the scheme initially due to come into force in October 2021. Cllr Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “I’m pleased to see our free electric van trial scheme has been hugely popular since its launch. More than 60 organisations have tested a van or car so far and had the chance to
step for anyone thinking about switching to
electric for their
see what it’s like to rely on electric: exploring things such as battery range, charging point access and the cost of keeping these vehicles on the road. Many have told us the free loan has made them accelerate their plans to add EVs to their fleets. “Taxis are an important part of our transport infrastructure in Bristol, so we’re pleased to extend the free EV hire scheme to our licensed hackney carriage drivers. Getting a sense for the smooth ride and price of charging will present local drivers with a cleaner vehicle choice and the opportunity to help us reduce toxic air pollution. “We all have a role to play in Bristol getting cleaner air and although some petrol and diesel vehicles will be allowed in the CAZ, the EV scheme provides a helpful taster
business.” Bristol City Council said that the free EV loan scheme is fully funded by National Highways and allowed the council’s fleet services team to purchase up to 64 vehicles in batches, with 12 currently on loan and 15 arriving soon. The vehicles will be available to loan to local organisations until March 2024. The council said that, from September 2022, two of LEVC’s purpose-built electric TX taxis will be available to Bristol City Council licensed hackney drivers, for free loans of two to four weeks, as part of this scheme. Patrick Masih, a local taxi driver, said: “I’m delighted to be part of this trial. LEVC is a very elegant, durable and strong vehicle. “It is the way forward to improve our local air quality, reduce noise pollution and lower carbon emissions across Bristol. It is important that taxi drivers test LEVC in our current fuel crisis. “Trying it out allows us to accurately reflect on the big decision and financial commit- ment of switching to EVs.”
Taxi, Minibus & Fleet Insurance Specialists Fleets from just two vehicles
01527 757 585
www.coversure.co.uk/redditch/commercial-motor 34 OCTOBER 2022 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86
