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Is this farewell to the traditional black cab?
By David Williams, Evening Standard Last updated at 11:07am on 12.04.07
Adaptation: a prototype hybrid-engine cab being developed by London Taxis International
Traditional black cabs could be driven off London's streets by tough new European pollution rules, it was claimed today.
The manufacturer of the taxi warned ministers it could be killed off in three years. In a memo to the Commons trade and industry committee, London Taxis International said its cabs would have to pass strict "Euro5" limits on emissions from 2010.
It said it had begun developing a hybrid engine that would meet the rules, but without government backing the vehicle would not be completed.
In a second threat, the EU is to end a measure that allows cabs to sidestep emissions limits because they are "heavy" vehicles. London Taxis Internationalcalled on ministers to set up a £5 million research and development fund to produce a low-emission engine that would pass the stringent new tests, and help create a "green" taxi fleet for the Olympics in 2012.
The company employs more than 450 people at its Coventry plant and at sales outposts including London. Its taxis cost from £27,000 to £35,500. The latest model, the TX4, was launched this year.
Sales and marketing director Matthew Cheney said: "We do not want to be alarmist in talking about the death of the London taxi, but it is becoming more and more difficult. Jaguar has gone from Coventry, Peugeot has shut down. The Midlands automotive industry is now just LTI. Measures such as the derogation [on heavy vehicles] help us stay alive but if they are taken away you could see us go as well."
He said LTI had spent millions of pounds developing wheelchair-accessible taxis and engines that meet current European rules, and it was now " impossible" for a small manufacturer to fund a new Euro5 engine.
"Five years is the minimum to develop a new engine," he said. "We do not have the vast resources of someone like Ford to develop our own.
"If we did it would force up the cost of our taxi enormously because we sell on average 2,600 cabs a year, and we cannot afford to buy in a new engine from another maker."
LTI's memo says: "Without LTI vehicles ... Britain will lose its purpose-built taxi market." It adds that the engine could add £12,000 to the cost of a cab.
The Euro 5 standard will force diesel engines to cut emissions of two key pollutants: nitrogen oxide and particulates. Particulates will have to come down by 80 per cent and nitrogen oxide from 250mg/km to 180mg/km.
All new cars will have to have particulate filters. After 2010 cities that do not enforce the new EU rules can be taken to court and fined.
* A 3.1 per cent rise in London taxi fares is to come into force from Saturday.
Reader views (13)
As a London taxi driver I can only say great. The TX4 taxi is a load of rubbish. I would love to drive another vehicle. Let me have an alterative vehicle for a lot less than I have to pay at the moment. I have a TX4 at the moment and because the engine runs so hot, in the spring I sweat so much I have to go to work in shorts and a t-shirt. LTI tell me to use my air conditioning to rectify their design fault. That's how green LTI are. They want me to use more fuel to cool a vehicle that you cannot turn the heat off.
- Robert Norris, London
I'm a motorbike courier and being behind a traditional black cab with its plumes of black smoke belowing out from behind isn't much fun. Tradition is fine, but not at a cost to health and enviroment. It's about time that they were more earth friendly.
- Scott, London
As most citys, including London do their very best to price and ban cars out of them, why should cars with the word TAXI on the roof be allowed in and even have special lanes preserved for them?
Perhaps then all those 'elitists' that use TAXIs like private cars, should be herded onto public transport like the rest of us.
- Terry Hudson, Herne Bay, Kent
I'm driving a 91 Fairway. Lovely car and a piece of London. It is sad that regulations are going to 'scrap' the cars. All should be done to keep the London Cabs on the road.
- Twist60, Munich
Best cabs in the world. Too expensive, yes, but what isn't in London? So what does the EU want to do? Get rid of them. You're likely to end up with something even more costly that you like much less.
- R M, London, UK
LTI have been talking about this supposed hybrid engine for years. They should get on, stop the poor-us whining, playing the 'Midlands motor industry' card when they enjoy a near captive market in the UK and huge export potential.
- Paul Taylor, London
The Black Cab is the safest and most secure way of travelling in and around London. It takes years to study the knowledge. As a lone female I would choose the black cab as my safest route home after a night out in town. They are the back bone of London and instead of knocking them, we should acknowledge them. The Government is trying to squeeze them out but they are an institution and we should be behind them 100%!
- Jakki, London
About time too. The whingeing cabbies will only pass the cost on to the customer anyway. I'm all for less pollution.
- Paul Jardine, Bromley, Kent
Can it really be so hard to buy in a state-of-the-art diesel engine from a car manufacturer, and fit it into the much-loved Taxi chassis?
If that really can't be done perhaps it's time for the Taxi to go the way of the Morris Minor. Air quality matters more than the shape of a vehicle.
- Nigel, London
How about getting rid of the drivers for one's that don't take you via a route that adds £3 extra to your journey and possibly even one's with a personality?
- Trevor Roll, London
This is not what the EU was formed for and is not what it should be doing now. We should follow the other European countries' example and ignore this daft directive. Have you ever seen the state of some of the clapped out diesel-engined cars that pass for taxis in France, Germany, Holland, Czech Republic, Spain etc? I doubt if they will pay much attention to this...
- Nobby Clark, London, UK
About time to. They must be the worst polluters on the London roads.
- Steve, London, England
Taxi's have become very expensive. It is about time that with thir enormous fares they start investing in cleaner engines!
- Georgie, London
