Agenda item

1

Question from Councillor Wilkinson to Cabinet Member Development and Safety, Councillor Andrew McKinlay

In light of the review of taxi licensing in Cheltenham being discussed on tonight's agenda, and the ongoing Air Quality Management Area designation, has the borough council considered the possibility of improving air quality by encouraging more taxi operators to switch from polluting vehicles to electric vehicles?

Response from Cabinet Member

Yes we have put forward proposals to improve air quality by setting out policy guidelines for taxi and private hire operators to switch from polluting vehicles to high standard.  The proposals have been published as part of appendix 2 of the report (https://democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk/documents/s22821/2017_09_12_CAB_Review%20of%20Taxi%20Appendix%202.pdf). Cheltenham’s AQMA is likely to be reviewed soon to reflect the fact that nitrogen dioxide levels are generally within limits, and to help focus resource and action where further improvements to AQ can be made.

2

Question from Councillor Wilkinson to Cabinet Member Development and Safety, Councillor Andrew McKinlay

Following on from 1, have any studies been carried out aimed at investigating how the necessary recharging infrastructure could be provided to enable a shift to electric taxis?

Response from Cabinet Member

We have not carried out any investigations for electric taxi infrastructure and are not aware of any at GCC for the Cheltenham area.

In a supplementary question Councillor Wilkinson asked whether the Cabinet Member would consider making representations to Gloucestershire County Council with regard to introducing more electric vehicle charging points in the town.

In response the Cabinet Member Development and Safety said that there were ongoing discussions with the County Council in the context of the transport infrastructure work in the town centre and looking at a sensible plan for the introduction of more charging points could be included in this dialogue.

3

Question from Councillor Wilkinson to Cabinet Member Development and Safety, Councillor Andrew McKinlay

Does the council monitor whether the currently licensed taxis use the most harmful type of fuel, diesel, as well as the number of petrol and electric vehicles in use? If so, what proportion of the current taxi fleet is in each?

Response from Cabinet Member

* https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/know-how/euro-emissions-standards/

In a supplementary question Councillor Wilkinson stated that the emissions standards did not mention electric vehicles at all and in the future the council should seek to find out about any low emission vehicles. He urged the council to work with representatives of the taxi trade when vehicles expired/due to be replaced in terms of encouraging them to adopt electric vehicles instead. In response the Cabinet Member Development and Safety explained that it was a question of practicality. He referred to the proposed policy change in the consultation which was to phase out older vehicles so to get all petrol vehicles to at least Euro 5 standard by 2020 and to get all diesel vehicles to Euro 6 standard by 2020. He highlighted that at the current time there was a limited supply of electric vehicles and these were expensive. As more electric vehicles became available the policy would reflect this as an option.