First Electric Hybrid Hackney Carriage for Stratford District

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Licensing Team has licensed its first electric hybrid taxi vehicle as part of the District Council's commitment to climate change and the need for cleaner and greener vehicles. In July Stratford-on-Avon District Council declared a Climate Emergency.

The vehicle is an LEVC TX Comfort plus model and is the first of its kind to be licensed by the District Council. It is a low emissions vehicle, and drives in full electric mode all the time, but is recharged by a three cylinder petrol engine.

The benefits of this vehicle include reduced fuel costs, charging points for phones and WI-FI; comfortable seating for six passengers; a retracted integrated ramp which allows wheelchairs passengers to face forward and an air pollution sensor.

It can run 70 miles on electric power only and can be fast charged in two hours. The CO2 emission for the vehicle is 24g/km, whilst the TX2 has a CO2 emission of 243g/km for the 4 speed version, providing the vehicle with a CO2 reduction of 219g/km.

As well as the Government providing a subsidy of £7,500 for electric and hybrid vehicles, the District Council will be looking to review its policy to assist taxi drivers and offer a reduced fee for drivers who wish to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle.

As well as the usual licence plates, the vehicle will also display a low emission vehicle sticker to let the public and passengers know the type of vehicle they can travel in.

Cllr Anne Parry, Regulatory Portfolio Holders says: "Supporting a shift towards cleaner and greener transport is vital as part of the Climate Emergency and everyone needs to do their bit when it comes to keeping our air clean.

"It's important the District Council tries to influence the areas in which it is responsible for and encouraging local taxi operators to make their fleets more environmentally-friendly is a step in the right direction. This is a first for Stratford-on-Avon District, but I do hope that this is the first of many.

"There are obviously financial implications for the operators in the acquisition of these new vehicles, but with reduced running costs and a move towards a cleaner and greener environment I hope they can see it as a worthwhile investment for the future."