London could save four thousand tonnes of CO2 emissions every week if all of the capital’s black cabs were fully electric, new research commissioned by the UK low carbon motor, EcoVelocity reveals.
The show set to take place between September 8-11, 2011 at Battersea Power Station, calculated the figure based on the total CO2 emissions of London’s 22,000 registered Hackney carriages but that figure would more than triple if London’s private hire vehicles (PHVs) or ‘minicabs’ also made the switch to electric power.
The show’s study took into account the relative CO2 emissions of the three most common Hackney carriages on London’s roads – the TXI, TX II and TX4 cars built by manufacturer, Manganese Bronze – as well as the average mileage of the London cabbie.
Sadly such road transport is responsible for around 80 per cent of airborne pollution in Central London, where air quality is worst, and black cabs account for 20 per cent of that pollution.
EcoVelocity Event Director, Giles Brown, said: “Black cabs are one of the most common vehicles to see on London’s roads so it’s not surprising that they contribute a large proportion of the Capital’s pollution.
“EcoVelocity is all about showing and educating motorists in the UK about greener alternative cars. The amazing figures we’ve uncovered with this study illustrate clearly what a huge difference can be made to our quality of life by making a change.”
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson announced in December last year a raft of ‘clean air’ proposals, designed to improve London’s air quality, which is currently in breach of EU regulations. Rolling age limits (10 years for black cabs and 15 years for PHVs) will be introduced while, from April 1, 2012, all newly-licensed PHVs must be no more than five years old and meet the EU4 emissions standard. All newly-licensed black cabs must meet EU5 standards.
The EcoVelocity Show is organised by IMIE, organisers of the British Motor Show and Metro, the world’s largest free newspaper with 3.3 million daily readers across 50 cities nationwide. Market leading brands attending the event include Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, SEAT, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Volvo, Toyota, Lexus and Mia Electric. Tickets and further information can be found at: www.ecovelocity.co.uk
