The proportion of London’s black cabs that are zero emission capable (ZEC) has passed the 50% milestone, new figures show.
According to the Independent, Transport for London said 7,972 of the 14,690 licensed taxis in the capital are ZEC, which means they are able to cover minimum distances powered solely by electric batteries.
The number of ZEC taxis has grown by around 10% in six months.
Most new ZEC cabs in the city are made by the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) in Ansty, Coventry, which produces the TX model.
Since 2018, all taxis licensed in London for the first time have been required to be ZEC. This rule was extended to private hire vehicles from the start of this year.
TfL director of licensing and regulation Helen Chapman said: “London’s black taxis are recognised worldwide and we are proud to see that so many drivers are helping clean up our air by driving zero emission capable vehicles.
“Reaching this milestone is a great reflection of how London is working hard to be a greener, more sustainable, environmentally friendly city."
Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance said: “We’ve seen an impressive increase in electric vehicle uptake over the last year.
“The Mayor and I will continue working with councils, the Government and the private sector to build upon the infrastructure we have in the capital to help build a greener London for everyone.”
Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, said: “Our members take great pride in driving these clean, green vehicles, and passengers enjoy travelling in them.
“With continued financial support and further investment in rapid charging infrastructure, cabbies will keep working towards a fully zero-emission fleet, whilst providing the same high-quality, reliable, accessible service for whiuch London’s taxis are known.”
LEVC chief executive Alex Nan said: “Other cities can learn from London’s world-leading approach, improving air quality throughout urban settings, to the benefit of the public and the environment.
“LEVC is committed to working alongside policymakers to demonstrate the positive impact that the TX is having in our cities, as we seek to continue building a greener and more accessible transport network better suited for all.”
A Blackburn taxi driver with points on his driving record has lost his appeal against the loss of his taxi licence.
Blackburn with Darwen Council defended an appeal by licensed taxi driver Iqbal Master, who lost his licence due to speeding and traffic offences.
Master had appealed against the council’s decision to revoke his dual driver licence, on April 11.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Master currently has 11 points on his driving licence which he had failed to notify the council about, in accordance with his licence conditions, and also had a number of previous complaints on his record.
The magistrates told him: "You have a number of recent traffic offences and in particular five points in 2022 for speeding on the motorway.
"This offence occurred within the two-year period before your licence was reviewed and revoked by the council.
"We find that the council’s decision was in line with the council’s policy.
"We agree with the council that it has a duty of care to protect the public and uphold public safety."
Councillor Jim Smith, executive member for environment: "The council has a duty of care to protect local people who travel by taxi, something that we take very seriously.
"This case proves that we will take a hard line with drivers who may put their passengers in danger.
"At a time of year when people are using taxis more to travel to seasonal parties and family gatherings, I think this sends out a clear message that we do take action against unsafe drivers."
Blackburn Magistrates' Court also awarded the council costs of £689.50 which Master will have to pay.
A taxi driver who preyed on a vulnerable 70-year-old passenger and extorted thousands of pounds from her has had his licence stripped by a council, magistrates and a crown court judge.
Tariq Mahmood, from Burton on Trent, appeared at Leicester Crown Court on 30 November after appealing a 2022 decision by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) to remove his licence.
The 50-year-old was reported to the council in 2022 for grooming a passenger, Lorna, and defrauding her of £5,000.
NWLDC’s Licensing Sub-Committee agreed on 15 March 2022 to remove Mahmood’s licence, but this decision was appealed to Leicester Magistrates' Court and upheld.
Mahmood appealed again, taking the decision to crown court.
Judges at the court heard that before NWLDC received a complaint from the passenger’s daughter, Mahmood had over nine years committed a large number of low-level offences including being banned from driving and road rage.
Mahmood befriended Lorna after she used his taxi and over six months accepted up to 23 payments from her totalling £5,000.
Despite claiming to judges that the payments were loans, Mahmood could not demonstrate to NWLDC, magistrates or judges that he would be able to repay the money.
Councillor Michael Wyatt, NWLDC Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change, said: “We are committed to keeping the travelling public safe, our continued defence of our 2022 decision to remove a licence because the danger the driver posed to the public is evidence of this.
“Taxi drivers are trusted to make sure the vulnerable get home safely. Everybody will have an experience of going out at night, someone getting into a bad state, the call is always “put them in a taxi, get them home safe” – taxi drivers should be trusted to do that.”
David Lawrie, Director of NPHTA said, "Shocking, another idiot trying to bring down our industry. Well done North West Leicestershire DC and of course the victim for coming forward."
DG Cars, is supporting a local Nottingham organisation, Edwalton Food Hub, to deliver donations of Christmas food bundles to families in need.
The private hire firm started working with Emma, the founder of the organisation, when she faced transport issues earlier this year, meaning she couldn’t collect the products she needed.
They offered free food collection taxi rides, so Emma could continue to support her local community and will continue to offer their support for the festive period.
Not all heroes wear capes - for the last nine years Wirral cabbie Alan Gilfoyle has bought and collected toys to give to less fortunate kids on Christmas Day.
He told PHTM, "I've collected toys and gifts each Christmas for the last 9 years. I ask fellow taxi drivers, friends and family for donations and toys. I also buy lots of toys myself.
"A big thank you to EV trade suppliers Car and Cab Care who made a massive donation to enable me to buy lots of gifts.
" Then about a week before Christmas I drop them all off in my cab, which is usually filled to the brim, at Mission Christmas in Birkenhead for them to be given to local children who wouldn't normally get a present.
'Without peoples support It wouldn't be possible to help and give back to the local community
"It's nice to be able to help the less fortunate, no child should wake up on Christmas Day with no present off santa."
Ricky Harold, a 20-year veteran of the town’s taxi trade, was parked in a lay-by when his vehicle was struck from behind by a black Audi A2.
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.
Cleethorpes taxi drivers are breathing a sigh of relief after council enforcement officers cracked down on vehicles illegally parked in designated taxi ranks.
A Barry man has avoided jail after launching a drunken attack on a taxi driver who refused him entry to his vehicle.
Jersey’s taxi service is in crisis, with driver numbers plummeting by more than a quarter since 2014, a new report has revealed.
On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A taxi driver has been sentenced to a community order after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian by driving at excessive speed.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.
BYD, manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Uber, designed to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto the Uber platform across key global markets.
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.