Produced at the first new purpose built car factory for over 10 years at Ansty near Rugby, the LX model London Taxi rolled onto the roads in London this week and local MP Mark Pawsey has called on the Government to continue to support the growing electric vehicle industry.
In Parliament, Mark raised the exciting work of the London Electric Vehicle Company, based in Ansty near Rugby, whose purpose-built electric taxi was certified for use in London last week. Mark was one of the first to enjoy a ride in the new electric taxi, where it is hoped that growing use of electric vehicles will help reduce air pollution in the capital.
Questioning the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt. Hon. Greg Clark MP, Mark highlighted the opportunities for the West Midlands in developing electric vehicles. This includes the potential for a new platform for a delivery vehicle based on the existing technology developed for the new electric London Taxi. Mark also raised the great environmental benefits of electric vehicles during questions to the Leader of the House, the Rt. Hon Andrea Leadsom MP. The Leader of the House praised the great news for Rugby in producing the electric taxi, and later referred to the positive the role that the electric taxi will play in reducing air pollution when responding to another MP.
As a Member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis, Mark has also joined 27 other MPs from across the House of Commons calling on the Government to introduce a new statutory definition of cross border hiring. This would prevent some drivers from being licensed by one authority and operating in different area, where the licensing authority may have refused them a license. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis also wants to see national minimum licensing standards for taxi drivers and Private Hire Vehicle operators to help ensure that passengers throughout the country are safe when using taxis and other private hire vehicles.
Mark commented:
“I am very pleased that Government recognises the important contribution that businesses like the London Electric Vehicles Company make, both to our manufacturing and engineering industry but also to promoting cleaner air in our towns and cities. Adopting electric vehicles will help ensure that we leave a better environment to the next generation.”
Mark continued:
“To continue to support the electric vehicles sector I would like to see the Government bring forward the announcement in the 2017 Autumn Budget to remove electric taxis from the VED standard rate supplement bracket from April 2019. By bringing this forward to 2018, it will reward those taxi drivers who have adopted an electric vehicle already and encourage more cabbies to take up this new technology.”
Mark concluded:
“Ensuring that those using taxis and other Private Hire Vehicles are safe is also of great importance. I know that in Rugby, the local Council as the Licensing Authority does an excellent job of ensuring that taxi drivers in our town operate to high standard. Introducing new statutory definition of cross border hiring will help to ensure that any taxi driver operating in Rugby has been granted a license by Rugby Borough Council and therefore operates to the high standards we expect.”