Valid concerns over taxi policy

The taxi trade has been at the forefront of encouraging the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles. It was us who got the MBC to license alternatives to the highly polluting, overpriced and overrated London Taxi. That is why there is now a variety of vehicles Maidstone’s taxi ranks which are 25% less polluting in terms of CO2 than the TX4.

However the proposals now put forward involve retrospectively changing the age requirements which means even fairly young vehicles having to be replaced in a little over two years. There will be a choice of one vehicle for us to buy at that point, the new London Taxi. Given the outrageous cost, the limited 70 mile range, (assuming you don’t use the accelerator and the batteries don’t deteriorate over time) of this vehicle and non existent charging infrastructure we are understandably concerned this may not be a commercially viable option for us. Many drivers may not be able to install a charging point at their address due to local conditions or Landlord refusal. What then?

These proposals are a step in the right direction but we need a choice of vehicle and substantially improved technology and range before we can make this step.

We all have an interest in improving air quality and lowering pollution. After all who breathes in more polluted air than us?

Neil Cox Co Chair Maidstone Taxi Association