Professional Driver Magazine volume 17

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Mark Bursa 07813 320044

markbursa@prodrivermags.com

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Paul Webb 07807 133527

paulwebb@prodrivermags.com

ART DIRECTOR

Alan Booth

CONTRIBUTORS

Ian Robertson, Glen Holder, Phil Rule, John Coombes, Phil Huff, Tim Barnes-Clay, Gary Jacobs, David Wilkins, Craig Thomas,

23 COVER STORY

All-electric BMW i7 on test

4-19 Business News

The latest from around the UK private hire sector

22 News Analysis Are taxis getting a raw deal in the UK’s Clean Air Zones

25 News Analysis

London’s ULEZ expansion faces Judicial Review

36 Diary Date

Professional Driver Car of the Year judging day, 2023

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32 The Knowledge 33 The Advisor 34 The Negotiator 35 The Insider

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Are taxis getting a raw deal in

The bigger picture on air quality

WE ALL WANT CLEANER AIR. IF, LIKE ME, your youth was spent in the 1970s, you’ll remember the choking, filthy air, the blackened buildings and the visible smog that settled over our major towns and cities.

Much has been done to improve matters since then, but it’s undeniable that the health of urban dwellers is affected far more deeply by pollution than the health of countr y folk.

Recognising the problem is not the issue. It’s finding the correct way to fix it. And our national and local administrators seem to be struggling to find fair and reasonable ways to do that.

Worst of all, the private hire sector – often cited as a solution to urban transportation problems – is getting a raw deal, as our feature on Page 22 of this issue reveals.

It’s not just London – but let’s look at the issues here first. The expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone has been carried out thoughtlessly and vindictively. Mayor Sadiq Khan is using the dangers posed by pollution to generate revenue for the busted flush that is Transport for London.

TfL’s own data shows only tiny improvements in air quality as a result of expanding the ULEZ into the outer boroughs. But despite a Judicial Review, Khan is ploughing ahead with his wretched plan, which will hit the poorest and most vulnerable people in and around outer London.

It will affect many private hire drivers and chauffeurs, especially those who invested in a diesel car (as they were encouraged by successive governments to do via a favourable tax regime). Diesels registered as recently as 2014 are likely to be non-compliant, so operators in the outer boroughs, and those outside London who make regular trips in to the capital, will face a £12.50 a day charge.

Note also that the charging for ULEZ clicks over to the next day at midnight. So a late night drop-off and pick-up at a dinner or event in, say, Kingston or Croydon – or Heathrow airport, which has naturally been included in the expansion - will most likely incur two charges – that’s an extra £25 in costs that will have to either be absorbed or passed on.

We’re supposed to be part of the solution to urban congestion and poor air quality, yet around the country,

we see new Clean Air Zone rules being introduced that see the taxi trade as the low-hanging fruit in terms of revenue generation.

In Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a Euro 5 diesel minicab has to pay a daily charge, while a private car of exactly the same age and spec does not. How is this logical? Surely, the private hire vehicle is an effective way to get people out of private cars? It seems that’s not how they see it on Tyneside.

With the stick must come the carrot, and of course the problem goes away if all PHVs and taxis are compliant. But the trade is not exactly awash with funds, and the sort of scrappage scheme that is being put forward in London or Newcastle is not going to do the job. Drivers need an upgrade path from, say, an 8-year-old diesel to, say, a 5-year old hybrid. Not a couple off grand of a £40,000 new car that they simply cannot afford.

Fair play to Bradford Council for offering a much more generous and sensible scheme – though with a largely compliant fleet, the council can afford to spread available funds across fewer non-compliant cars.

Of course, if you really want to clean up the air, then a lot more needs to be done to help electrify taxis and private hire fleets. But that is going to cost money – if you’re offering grants, they have to be meaningful, as EVs are expensive. And there needs to be a serious raising of the game when it comes to charging infrastructure. We’ll be looking at this in more depth next month – and our experiences suggest there is a very long way to go in terms of charge point installations, and not a lot of time, as EV adoption is gathering pace faster than the chargers are going in. Chargers cost money – and local councils don’t have a lot of that.

Meanwhile, how about looking beyond the motorist as a way of cleaning up the air? Why not regulate the construction industry, one of the filthiest polluters. And let’s regulate domestic and commercial wood-burning ovens, and other high-emissions devices that aren’t as irreplaceable as the car.

Mark Bursa Editor

Addison Lee partners with ChargePoint to provide EV charging at new Heathrow hub

Mark Bursa

Addison Lee has announced a new partnership with ChargePoint, one of the world’s largest EV charging station networks, to install ultra-rapid EV chargers at its new West Drayton Fleet Hub.

The installation of two ChargePoint ultra-rapid EV chargers with dual charging capability provides a guaranteed location for four drivers to charge their electric vehicles at once.

ChargePoint will also provide software to allow Addison Lee partner drivers to see if the stations are currently in use, ensuring they don’t waste valuable time travelling to an unavailable charging point. The drivers will also have access to thousands of chargers across London through the ChargePoint app.

Just a couple of miles from Heathrow Airport, the West Drayton Fleet Hub is a multi-purpose centre covering vehicle servicing, driver training, and rest facilities for drivers.

With 1,000 Volkswagen ID.4 EVs

already on the fleet, the co-operation with ChargePoint supports Addison Lee’s pledge to electrify its entire fleet by the end of 2023. Once Addison Lee’s passenger car fleet is fully electric, it will save up to 20,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Addison Lee has also provided drivers with support for home charging and has negotiated deals

CityFleet Networks acquires Chesterbased KingKabs and Abbey Taxis

Mark Bursa

CityFleet Network has strengthened its presence in the north-west by acquiring the company that runs two major private hire fleets in Chester.

In a letter to drivers, CityFleet Networks Limited confirmed that it had acquired Vedamain Ltd, which trades as KingKabs and Abbey Taxis, two long-running Chester taxi businesses.

KingKabs was established in Chester in 1968 and also provides services in Ellesmere Port on the Wirral. It describes itself as “Cheshire’s largest private hire taxi service” and has a fleet of more than 500 vehicles. Abbey Taxis has served the area for more than 40 years and has a fleet of 140 vehicles.

In the letter to drivers, CityFleet regional general manager Karen Long wrote: “We would like to take the opportunity to welcome Drivers

that provide its drivers with access to more than 4,000 rapid chargers across London.

Addison Lee CEO Liam Griffin said: “We’ve made great strides in transitioning our standard fleet to electric by 2023, recently hitting the milestone of 1,000 EVs on the fleet in just over 14 months. With access to reliable charging infrastructure still

the main barrier for drivers switching to electric, we remain committed to investing in these innovative partnerships, working together to tackle the ongoing infrastructure challenges across the capital.”

Richard Holden MP, Minister for Roads and Local Transport said: “Companies like Addison Lee and ChargePoint can play a vital role in the UK’s transition to cleaner vehicles while supporting economic growth, and we continue to work closely with industry on the path to all new cars being zero-emission by 2035.”

Tanya Sinclair, senior director of public policy, Europe at ChargePoint, said: “Our cooperation with Addison Lee makes it easier for drivers to confidently locate, initiate and pay for charging, not only here in Heathrow, but throughout London and the UK using ChargePoint’s own stations and partner stations accessible via roaming. Inter network roaming must be encouraged at all levels if we are to enable fleets and commercial drivers to seamlessly transition to EV.”

to the Group and look forward to developing the business further in the years to come.” She added that CityFleet would be asking drivers for feedback and suggestions on how the current service can be improved.

CityFleet is owned by Singapore-based transport giant Comfort Delgro. It is already a

major player in Merseyside, operating the ComCab taxi fleet in Liverpool. In 2020, it acquired Argyle Satellite, the biggest private hire fleet in the Wirral, in a seven-figure deal. CityFleet also operates black cabs as ComCab in Aberdeen, and provides coach hire services under the Westbus UK brand.

Richard Holden MP, Minister for Roads and Local Transport (left) joins Charge Point’s Tanya Sinclair and Addison Lee CEO Liam Griffin at the launch of the new chargers

Free Now partners with Gett on private hire bookings for business clients

Mark Bursa

Free Now has announced a partnership with rival ride-hailing app Gett to give Gett’s UK business customers access to Free Now’s fleet of 20,000 private hire vehicles. Gett business customers can now book and manage journeys on Free Now via the Gett app. The move will benefit drivers on the Free Now platform through increased demand in corporate bookings without any changes in the service or driver app.

For Gett customers, the partnership is expected to result in greater choice, faster pick-up times, and an improved quality of service.

Mariusz Zabrocki, general manager of Free Now UK, said: “Our partnership with Gett is a milestone in our two major areas of focus: driver’s earnings and

customer experience. Drivers are our priority, and as they face increased operational costs, the increased demand will drive greater earnings potential via the Free Now app.”

Guy Gaash, VP global partnerships at Gett, said: “We’re thrilled to have found a PHV partner like Free Now that shares our values and takes the same

customer-centric approach. We’re confident that our seamless booking platform, combined with Free Now’s diverse range of vehicles, will lead to even more innovations to the PHV booking experience.”

Free Now and Gett are currently rolling out this new service, taking a phased approach throughout the first quarter of 2023 to introduce it to Gett’s business account clients.

After the current roll-out phase is complete, any customers who open a business account through Gett’s automated self-registration option will automatically have access to Free Now’s minicab fleet for ondemand bookings.

In the UK, Free Now is one of the top three ride-hailing providers, being the only consumer app offering both taxis and PHVs. The platform has been registering yearon-year growth, with the number of new users in the UK growing by more than 80% between 2021-22, and more than 200 new drivers a week are joining the app to meet the growing demand.

Gett is one of the leading taxi platforms operating in the United Kingdom and Israel. At the end of 2022, Gett was srving more than 10,000 B2B clients, and has more than 700,000 quarterly active B2C customers.

We Know Group drivers to be offered ‘worker status’ option following GMB union action

Mark Bursa

Drivers working for London-based We Know Group will be offered the option of ‘worker’ status following a successful legal challenge from the GMB Union.

Heathrow-based We Know London operates a multi-faceted online booking service aimed at tourists.

In a statement, GMB said a member working as a private hire driver for We Know London, part of the We Know Group, had contacted the GMB Taxi & Private Hire Drivers Branch with concerns about pay and employment status.

GMB’s communications led to the company instructing legal representation, and as a result, drivers will now be offered the option of “worker” rather than self-employed status.

Simon Rush, President of GMB Taxi & Private Hire Drivers Branch, welcomed the decision, saying: “I am delighted with this outcome that started with a series of emails to the company to question the differentials with drivers’ pay and status.”

“As a result, the company employed their solicitors and has now agreed the favourable

solution to offer all self-employed drivers a contract of employment, with a rate of pay above the National Minimum Wage. Owner-drivers who prefer the flexibility of working under the driver-owner model may continue if this is their preference. The existing ‘paid driver’ model will be discontinued.

“We Know London has also confirmed freedom of association and the right to join a Union. GMB is now on a path to seek formal recognition with the company.”

Steve Garelick, GMB London Region

Organiser, said: “Following GMB Union’s success in landmark legal cases including Uber, very few operators are implementing the correct employment status and continue to exploit workers who are ‘bogus’ self-employed. Therefore, we recognise this was a bold step by the employer and hope that our membership continues to benefit from the value, protection and assistance GMB offers when things at work need to be challenged and resolved.”

DG Cars adds to Leeds operations with Speedline Private Hire acqusistion

Mark Bursa

DG Cars is continuing its expansion with a major acquisition in Leeds. Working in partnership with Boro Cars of Middlesbrough, DG has acquired Speedline Private Hire, bringing a further 120 cars into the fleet, and taking the DG Group fleet beyond 2,000 cars.

Speedline was established in 1970 and recently celebrated 50 years in business, making it one of the oldest private hire companies in West Yorkshire.

The Speedline operations are likely to be combined with the Arrow Cars business acquired 12 months ago. Arrow has the contract to serve Leeds-Bradford Airport, and Speedline is a good strategic fit.

A DG Cars spokesman welcomed the deal and promised more takeover activity this year: “With 120 drivers joining our team, it’s another step towards achieving our business goals. Watch this space in 2023, we’re just getting started!”

Nottingham-based DG Cars made a number of major acquisitions in 2022, turning it from a local operator in its home city into a regional powerhouse operating mainly down the east side of England. Most recently, it completed the takeover of ACE-

ABC of Mansfield last September, adding a fleet of 220 cars and a permanent staff of 35 to DG Group.

DG Group also acquired Pirate Cars of Sutton in Ashfield, Alert Cars of Arnold, Nottinghamshire, CamCabs of Cambridge and Oasis of Kirkby in Ashfield last

year. Both DG and CamCab were Gold award winners in the 2021 Professional Driver QSi Awards. The earlier acquisition of Leeds-based Arrow Cars gave DG contracts to operate official taxi services at Leeds-Bradford, East Midlands and Bristol airports.

Former Tristar CEO Dean De Beer returns to chauffeur sector with TBR Global

TBR Global Chauffeuring has appointed former Tristar CEO Dean De Beer (pictured, right) as a non-executive director.

De Beer is credited with building Tristar into the biggest UK chauffeuring fleet. He was CEO there for 20 years and left the company in 2019, after steering the sale of the business to Addison Lee for £30 million in 2016.

In a statement, TBR said De Beer would be working closely with the directors and management team in executing TBR’s plan for 2023, as well as identifying future opportunities for growth.

Michael O’Hare, TBR Global executive chairman, said: “Having known Dean for many years, I’m thrilled that he has agreed to join the TBR team at this exciting time. I’m looking forward to utilising Dean’s extensive experience within our industry and helping to support TBR to achieve its objectives over the coming years.”

De Beer said, “I’m delighted to join the TBR team as they look to grow the business significantly over the next few years and consolidate their position as the market leaders in global chauffeur drive.”

–Mark Bursa

Capital Cars wins five-year Edinburgh Airport taxi rank and PHV contract

Mark Bursa

Edinburgh Airport has confirmed that Capital Cars will operate both the black cab and private hire operation at the airport terminal following the completion of a tendering process. Capital Cars replaces City Cabs, which took on the contract in 2018, as official taxi operator.

The new five-year deal will see the introduction of new signage to provide waiting times and dedicated electric charging points for electric taxis operated by Capital Cars. A queue monitoring system, and new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are being installed to improve the passenger experience.

The Capital Cars operation will

come into effect on April 14, 2023. A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: “Onward travel from an airport is an important part of the passenger journey and we want to make that

Rising inflation forces Edinburgh Council into approving 20% increase in taxi fares

Mark Bursa

Taxi fares in Edinburgh have been increased by 20% to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of running a vehicle, the council has confirmed.

Councillors have agreed to the price rise, which would also impact private hire vehicles. It comes after a review, carried out by consultants Jacobs on behalf of The City of Edinburgh Council, recommended raising the maximum fare cap as a result of a 14.2% increase in inflation.

A report said engagement with local cab firms found that since the last review the running costs associated with operating a taxi had also “significantly increased”.

As a result, the maximum fare from Monday to Friday will rise by 20%, In practice, it means that the most a taxi driver will be able to charge for a 2-mile journey in Edinburgh from 6am to 6pm on weekdays will increase from £7 to £8.40.

Meanwhile a 15% increase has been applied to tariffs which cover the Christmas and New Year period, so the maximum charge for a two-mile journey at those times will rise from £9.25 to £10.63, except on Christmas Day, where the maximum charge for 2-mile

as easy and smooth as possible by providing as many options as we can.”

“The tender process has worked to identify how we can ensure a

consistent and reliable supply of taxis and private hire cars for passengers who need that option and we are now able to confirm Capital Cars as our black cab and private hire operator for the next five years.”

“We think the new measures we will introduce as part of this deal will provide passengers with up to date data on taxi and private hire times, as well as encourage that move to electric vehicles thanks to the installation of new charging points.”

“We hope the new measures together with a sole operator operating our rank will allow us to have a closer working relationship to identify where and how we can improve the experience for passengers.”

journey will rise from £11.75 to £13.50.

The changes were unanimously approved by the council’s Regulatory Committee on Monday. The price increase is expected to come into force later this year, although no official date has yet been set.

A report for councillors said: “The second stage of the process requires that the proposed fare scale be advertised for a period of not less than one month, to allow for representations. Following this, a further report will be brought back to committee for consideration, and if appropriate, approval.

“The fare structure will have a direct impact on residents or visitors to the city using a taxi. If the taxi trade has a concern about the Council’s decision on the new fare scales, taxi licence holders may appeal that decision individually or as a group, including any decision not to implement an increase in the fare scales.”

Jacobs also recommended following consultation with the trade that card payment machines are made mandatory in all taxis, though the report noted the council does not have the power to do this.

Bolt aims to speed up EV transition with new head of electrification role

Mark Bursa

Bolt is looking to recruit a head of electrification in a bid to speed up the switch to electric cars.

The new global role will focus on growing the share of EVs in the Bolt fleet across 45 countries in Europe and Africa.

Bolt says EV adoption is three times higher among private hire drivers than general motorists, but barriers remain to achieving full transition, notably in the cost of vehicles and the availability of charging infrastructure.

The new head of electrification will look to introduce incentives, education and support for Bolt drivers and fleet owners who want to start using an EV or PHEV.

Paddy Partridge, VP rides, Bolt, said: “Bolt has seen demand for EVs and plug-in hybrids grow among drivers in recent years, attracted by cost benefits and increased accessibility to city centres.”

“However, barriers to EV adoption remain; they deliver a limited range and drivers must

be confident in the charging infrastructure, particularly rapid charging, to ensure they can complete a full range of jobs and operators such as ourselves need to share data with public authorities to ensure this is in place.”

“We see our responsibility to be a partner to

drivers in navigating this change; and to make sure this is as successful a switch as possible. Our new head of electrification will be the key person within Bolt to deliver that programme and I would urge anyone motivated to change our cities to apply.”

Hull-based Drive moves into York area with 659 Taxis takeover

Mark Bursa

Ambitious Hull-based Drive has taken over 659 Taxis in Layerthorpe, near York, giving it access to another important Yorkshire market.

The deal adds a further 60 cars to Drive’s combined fleet, which mainly operates in and around Hull and Doncaster, taking the total close to 1,000 cars. The 659 operation has already been rebranded to Drive.

Drive has built a regional powerhouse in East Yorkshire in the past year. In January 2022 it bought two operators in Doncaster, Mick’s Mini Cabs and Alpha Mini Cabs and both firms have been rebranded under the Drive brand. The combined Doncaster fleet is around 350 cars.

Drive is Hull’s largest private hire and taxi firm, created through mergers of a number of local operators. The business was initially branded Ride in 2017, but changed its name to Drive in July 2019,

following a local radio competition to choose a new name.

Headed by former Amber Cars and Veezu director Chris Hall since 2017, Drive has acquired Hull operators 57 Cars, 65 Cars, 70 Cars, 706 Cars, Sutton Cars and, most recently Five O Cars in June 2020, to create a taxi firm with around 550 cars operating across the city of Hull

and surrounding areas.

Chris Hall said the 659 Taxis deal means the team of eight dispatchers in York will stay with the company. He said he was looking to increase the current fleet of 60 drivers.

Hall said: “I am thrilled to be launching our service in York. 659 has been a key player in the market for many years. However,

we now look to take it to the next level. Feedback from customers and drivers is that historically getting a cab in York has been somewhat of a lottery and it is our mission to change this for the better.”

Hall said: “The merging of many small fleets has benefited both the drivers and customers by reducing waiting time for the customers and dead mileage for the drivers.”

He said Drive drivers in York would be paid their fares twice each week, and the longest any driver would need to wait for payment was four days. “Customers need to be able to pay by card, which many already do using our booking app, and drivers need these funds as quickly as possible,” he said.

Stephen Ashford, manager at 659 Taxis, said customers would now find it much easier to get a car. “This is the end of having to call round every fleet in the area, like a game of Russian roulette, in order to go from A to B,” he said.

Stephen Ashford, manager Drive’s York operations

Veezu adds Sheffield hub with City Taxis acquisition

Mark Bursa

Veezu has made a major acquisition by adding Sheffield’s biggest private hire operator City Taxis to its portfolio.

The deal is the third major deal in the past few months for Veezu, having added Panther Taxis of Cambridge and ABC Taxis of Norwich last October. Veezu also has major hub operations in Bristol, Leeds, South Wales and the West Midlands.

City Taxis adds a further 2,000 cars to the Veezu fleet, taking the combined total to more than 10,000. Managing director Arnie Singh is staying with the business and will take on a senior role within Veezu.

Nathan Bowles, CEO of Veezu, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Arnie and City Taxis into the Veezu Group. City Taxis is a high-quality business in Sheffield and surrounding areas. I’m really pleased that Arnie will join our management team at Veezu, playing a pivotal role in the next growth stage of our business.”

Arnie Singh said: “We are incredibly enthusiastic about what joining Veezu means for City Taxis moving forward. I am confident that joining a larger business with a hyper-local focus will help to keep local taxi companies in demand without compromising on technology or service levels.”

Last year Veezu announced plans to introduce uniform Veezu branding across its operations, starting with its Bristol subsidiary V Cars. Other brands, including Amber Cars, Dragon Taxis, A2B Radio Cars and Go Carz, are expected to adopt the Veezu name as the company aims to build a national presence.

BMW launches new hydrogen pilot scheme in Belgium with iX5 fuel cell car fleet

Mark Bursa

Battery-electric has undoubtedly become the dominant clean car technology, but BMW has not given up on the hydrogen alternative. The automaker has this week launched a new pilot Hydrogen-electric scheme in Antwerp, Belgium, using a fleet of adapted iX5 models.

The latest programme has been under development for four years, and will involve a fleet of nearly 100 vehicles for demonstration and trial purposes.

“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play in the energy transition process and therefore in climate protection. It is one of the most efficient ways of storing and transporting renewable energies,” said BMW AG Chairman Oliver Zipse.

“We should use this potential to also accelerate the transformation of the mobility sector. Hydrogen is the missing piece in the jigsaw when it comes to emission-free mobility. One technology on its own will not be enough to enable climate-neutral mobility worldwide.”

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is a version of the current BMW X5. It was unveiled as a concept at the Frankfurt show in 2019. It uses hydrogen fuel cells to give a useable range of

around 313 miles on a full tank of hydrogen.

The BMW Group produces the fuel cell systems for the pilot fleet at its in-house competence centre for hydrogen in Munich, though it sources the individual fuel cells from Toyota through a partnership on fuel cell drive systems that started in 2013.

The fuel cells power a fifth-generation BMW eDrive electric motor, transmission and power electronics mounted on the rear axle, giving maximum output of 401hp.

The hydrogen needed to supply the fuel cell is stored in two 700-bar tanks made of carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Filling up the hydrogen tanks only takes three to four minutes.

BMW believes hydrogen can become a further long-term technology option, alongside battery-electric mobility. But this will depend on competitive production of sufficient quantities of hydrogen from green power, as well as expansion of the filling infrastructure.

So far, hydrogen has been slow to catch on in the UK, with only Toyota and Hyundai offering models. Last year Shell removed its three hydrogen filling stations at Gatwick airport, Cobham and Beaconsfield services, due to low demand.

Veezu CEO Nathan Bowles (right) welcomes City Taxis MD Arnie Singh to the group

Addison Lee partners with PostTag to provide more accurate location selection

Mark Bursa

Addison Lee has integrated precision location service provider PostTag into its address search tools to help pinpoint pick-up and drop-off addresses more accurately.

PostTag’s address search tools will complement Addison Lee’s existing in-house allocation technology to improve the performance of this critical element of the booking process. PostTag uses multiple databases to find a customer’s location and sends a latitude/longitude reference to the dispatch system, which PostTag says is easier to use than letter-combination systems such as What Three Words.

Blacklane launches electric fleet of Mercedes-Benz EQS cars in Dubai

Mark Bursa

Blacklane has launched an allelectric fleet of Mercedes-Benz EQS saloons in Dubai. The EV rollout aligns with the United Arab Emirates initiative to be Net Zero by 2050.

Blacklane’s chauffeur-hailing services in Dubai include oneway trips, return journeys, airport transfers, hourly and daily bookings and inter-emirate travel, all with a 60-minute lead time. Newly launched on-demand services are available in some areas, including downtown Dubai and DXB Airport, with plans to roll out across the city later this year.

The customised, two-tone, topof-the-range fleet of Mercedes EQS EVs feature ventilated seats, in-chair massage and ambient cabin lighting.

Paul Yewman, CEO of PostTag, said: “Today close enough is no longer good enough. With approximately 60% of all UK addresses being at least a football field away from where a satnav

system takes you, PostTag cuts down on wasted time, wasted miles and CO2 emissions by delivering the drivers precisely where they need to be – first time.”

“And as Addison Lee are at the

forefront of the move to electric vehicles, this precision reduces range anxiety and helps make the transition to EV seamless.

Addison Lee’s electric fleet was scheduled to hit 1,000 vehicles by the end of last month. Addison Lee COO Patrick Gallagher said: “In the 47 years Addison Lee has been operating in London we have seen the city change beyond comparison. Location accuracy is a huge part of this and Addison Lee has invested in its own technology to ensure we are a leader in mobility. This partnership with PostTag is the next stage in location precision as our drivers navigate the continuing changes to the capital’s road network.”

All drivers will have been trained at Blacklane’s Chauffeur Training Academy, the first such venture in the region, which was opened in September 2022.

This trains all chauffeurs to the highest standards of service, safety, etiquette, and discretion. Blacklane also employs female chauffeurs in Dubai, and all drivers work exclusively for Blacklane, on a permanent, full-time salaried contract. Every chauffeur receives ongoing training across both theoretical and practical elements of driving and service throughout their careers.

“We have successfully serviced

hundreds of thousands of customers across the Middle East in the past five years,” said Nicolas Soucaille, Blacklane’s general manager, United Arab Emirates. “An all-electric fleet will dramatically reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, with the launch of our on-demand services, we will provide an unrivalled experience for our guests, whiletaking a step forward towards a more sustainable future.”

The news follows Blacklane’s partnership announcement with Gargash Group, one of the leading business conglomerates in the UAE, as its most recent investor, alongside Mercedes-Benz Mobility and existing

investor Al Fahim Group.

The investment is designed to bolster Blacklane’s transition to EVs, including a retained supercharging network. Launching the fleet of Mercedes EQSs into the important Middle East market serves Blacklane as a test bed to optimise its structure and subsequently scale the new approach globally.

Dr. Jens Wohltorf, co-founder and CEO of Blacklane, said: “We are strategically investing in the important Middle East market as a test bed to introduce new offerings which will diversify our business model and allow us to expand and open new markets.”

Take Me rebrands its West Midlands operations; adds two more operators

Mark Bursa

Take Me group has rebranded its West Midlands operations as Take Me Birmingham, creating an 800-vehicle superfleet in the second city.

The acquisitive group has also made two further additions to its portfolio with the acquisitions of A1 Embassy and Wednesfield Radio Cars.

Wednesfield Radio Cars will become part of the Take Me Birmingham operation, joining a group of companies centred around Chelmsley Wood-based TC Cars. Other operators include Heritage Taxis, Direct Taxis and Premier Taxis, all of which are now operating under the Take Me brand.

Wednesfield Radio Cars has been operating as a family business for more than 30 years in the Wolverhampton and surrounding areas with a fleet of more than 120 vehicles.

Jim Sharr, who heads up the team at Wednesfield Radio Cars, said: “I know all the team here, including the office staff and drivers, are really excited about being part of the Take Me Group. It will be a pleasure to join the fastest growing UK private hire network.”

He added: “Joining with the other existing local taxi firms, and being part of the Birmingham Hub, will benefit our drivers. We will now be

part of the larger West Midlands fleet, which will mean there will be a lot less dead mileage. Our drivers can pick up work on return journeys for example, and help them earn more.”

Take Me Group CEO David Hunter said: “Wednesfield Radio Cars is a really well run taxi firm, and we know we can really help bring them on to the next level with the support we can offer. We will add them into our Take Me Birmingham Hub, which already includes TC Cars, Direct Taxis, Premier Taxis and Heritage Cars, now all rebranded and operating to customers as Take Me Birmingham.”

Robert Woolaway from Take Me Group said technology would play a key role for the new addition to the Take Me portfolio. “We will quickly work with the team at Wednesfield to help bring our technology which

will help their office staff, drivers and ultimately the customers will benefit. The phone apps, backend systems, websites and marketing will all be integrated as part of the Take Me Birmingham Hub,” he said.

Take Me’s other acquisition, A1 Embassy, will become part of Take Me’s north-west England operations. A1 Embassy has more than 40 years’ operating experience with cars in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under -Lyme, Congleton, Crewe, Buxton, Knutsford, Werrington, Derby, Leek and Stafford, transporting more than 15,000 passengers a week.

Take Me CEO David Hunter said: “A1 Embassy is another great local company who will compliment our existing groups in the north-west areas.” Take Me’s north-west group already includes Intercity Private Hire

in Stoke, Westside Taxis and Club Class.

A1 Embassy was acquired by Mohammad Rangzeb in 2015, and more recently has been run by Mahanas Rangzeb, Mobeen Rangzeb and Shahid Mehmood.

Mahanas Rangzeb said: “The team here at A1 Embassy are delighted to bring our 60-plus vehicle fleet to the Take Me Group. We know that they will help with our technology, as well as helping to grow our territory as we are now part of the north-west group which will mean less down time or wasted journeys for our drivers.”

Take Me started rolling out unified Take me branding across its UK operations last year, starting with its Leicestershire operation, formerly called ADT.

Take Me branding is now replacing the ADT logo on cars and premises of ADT, the company co-founded by Take Me group managing director David Hunter and which formed the core of the plan to grow a national brand.

Previously, the ADT brand had been applied in a similar style to the Take Me “speech bubble” with ‘powered by Take Me’ below. Now the branding has been flipped, with Take Me as the main logo and ‘powered by ADT’ as a supporting line.

Hunter said the plan was to roll out the branding across all Take Me operations over the coming months.

Rob Woolaway from Take Me Group (left) and Jim Sharr of Wednesfield Radio Cars.

Mike Gittens of Take Me (right), welcomes Mahanas Rangzeb from A1 Embassy to Take Me Group.

Cab Guru acquires dispatch systems supplier

Cordic and creates new CabFusion brand

Mark Bursa

Cab Guru, the taxi fleet management service co-owned by a number of leading private hire operators, has acquired dispatch systems provider Cordic Technology for an undisclosed sum.

The move brings the two companies together under a new umbrella company called CabFusion, which the new owners say will create “a powerful, networked ecosystem that benefits the independent licensed taxi and private hire industry, end-to-end”.

Under the deal, both Cab Guru and Cordic will continue to operate as separate business units. while working together to deliver greater collaboration across the industry.

Cab Guru chairman Joe Polley, who also runs leading London operator Parker Car service, said: “Our mission is to establish a national services and technology business for independent licensed private hire fleets and provide an open, national marketplace with unrivalled reach.”

Phil Bailey, vice-chairman of Cab Guru, added: “Our partnership provides fleets with a network which will enable them to protect their position in a highly competitive market. At the same time, and whichever part or parts of our company they work with, operators are of course entirely free to choose the technology and platforms that are right for their businesses.”

Walsall backs

By creating a single, integrated provider of all necessary platform and technology services for the industry, CabFusion aims to create a unified virtual pool of fleets – all working together through a national network, delivering an improved product and service. This will greatly reduce dead mileage for drivers and the integration will deliver a better customer experience for passengers, characterised by shorter wait times and pickups as promised.

Both companies already have a strong presence in London and other key strategic towns and cities across the UK, and the new partnership aims to generate genuine nationwide coverage.

At the time of the deal, CabFusion supports fleets with a combined total of 15,000 vehicles nationwide. Crucially, the infrastructure for building a single, virtual pool of fleets is system-agnostic by design, able to connect fleets running any fleet management system through API connectivity – which means operators using other dispatch systems such as Autocab, iCabbi or Cab9 should be able to plug into the CabFusion system.

The company stresses that data will not

lanes

Mark Bursa

Walsall Council has backed a call to allow private hire vehicles to use bus lanes in the town in a bid to reduce congestion. The move would bring it into line with neighbouring Wolverhampton, which allows PHVs into the bus lanes.

Walsall Council now plans to consult with the West Midlands Enhanced Bus Partnership about a change in rules which would give private hire vehicles the same rights as hackney carriages.

Councillors argued successfully

that the amendment would help cut congestion, enhance services and reduce pollution. The cabinet unanimously agreed to engage with the partnership on whether it is likely to be agreed before moving ahead to a formal application.

Cllr Amo Hussain said: “There is a strength of feeling this would assist them in securing more passengers as

be shared. In a statement, it said: “Although the companies are coming together under the CabFusion holding company, customers of both Cordic and Canb Guru businesses can be assured that their data will remain as safe and secure as it always has been.”

Idris Davies, Chief executive officer of Cordic, said: “I’m really excited about this deal. Of course, the services that both companies provide to current clients will remain unaffected.”

“Where the great future potential lies is in our infrastructure, connecting fleets running on any underlying operating system. CabFusion’s vision for the long-term future of the industry puts all the power in the hands of the operators, who are free to decide how they run their business, including which platforms and software services are right for them. We’ve done this deal to better serve the interests of independent operators across the country.”

CabFusion is inviting further investment from across the industry, alongside committed investment from existing shareholders. This is designed to reinforce CabFusion as a business owned by independent operators, working with their interests front and centre – not purely a tech company. This new investment will fund product, platform, and service development for both Cab Guru and Cordic, engagement with the industry, and sales and marketing.

they are constantly held up in traffic jams, much of which has been created by Transport for West Midlands in securing free movement for buses but to the detriment of all other road users.”

He added: “I know Wolverhampton allow private hire vehicles to use bus lanes and this was before the enhanced partnership arrangements

were put in place. I trust the cabinet will agree to consult with the relevant partners to secure this change.”

Deputy leader Adrian Andrew said: “I think it’s fair to say it was a controversial issue. If we can get the approval of the enhanced partnership which we need to consult with then I think it would be a sensible move to allow this to happen.”

‘sensible’ move to allow private hire vehicles to use bus

TfL claims 20mph speed limit has cut accidents and fatalities in London

Mark Bursa

The introduction of 20mph speed limits in parts of London may be unpopular with motorists, but new data shows that the move has had a positive impact on road safety, Transport for London claims.

At sites monitored on the TfL road network (TLRN), collisions involving a vulnerable road user (pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist) have decreased by 36%, while collisions resulting in death or serious injury have decreased by 25% since speed limits were lowered. People hit by a vehicle at 20mph are around five times less likely to be killed than at 30mph, according to independent research.

The number of collisions has reduced by 25% from 406 to 304,while collisions resulting in death or serious injury fell 25% from 94 to 71, the data reveals.

Collisions involving vulnerable road users have decreased by 36% from 453 to 290, while collisions involving pedestrians dropped by 63% from 124 to 46.

TfL is also planning to beef up enforcement, with the Met Police working to increase its capacity issue 1 million speeding tickets by 2024. In 2021/22, the Met issued 476,685 speeding offences, an increase of 72% on the previous year.

Will Norman, London walking & cycling commissioner, said: “Sadly more than 4,000 people are killed and seriously injured on London’s roads every year. Lowering speeds is one of the most important things we can do to reduce road danger.”

In March 2020, TfL introduced a 20mph speed limit on all of its roads within the central London Congestion Charging zone as part of its Vision Zero commitment to eliminate death and serious injury on the capital’s roads by 2041. Currently more than half of London’s roads have a 20mph speed limit, of which almost 110km is on TfL’s network.

TfL is now working to lower speeds on 220km of its roads by 2024 in inner and outer London and plans to introduce a new 20mph speed limit on more than 28km of roads in Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Haringey in March.

Since the 20mph speed limits were introduced across London, average speed has fallen between 1.7 and 5mph across most sites surveyed. Analysis of journey times, traffic flows and speeds suggest that the 20mph speed limit has not increased congestion and TfL will be undertaking further quantitative analysis to assess the impact on smoothing traffic flows.

East Lothian’s new CO2-based licensing rules will hit 30% of local taxi fleet

Mark Bursa

New restrictions on the type of vehicles used by taxi and private hire operators in East Lothian will make 30% of vehicles illegal.

East Lothian Council’s licensing sub-committee today has approved new vehicle licensing rules, including precise specifications of the number of seats and restrictions based on CO2 emissions rather than compliance with Euro emissions standards.

Council officers said the move would “encourage a better public perception of the taxi trade” and reduce the number of “sub-standard” taxi owners in the area. But some committee members questioned the plan, which has to be implemented by April 2025,

Cllr Colin McGinn, committee convenor, questioned whether the changes would be cost-prohibitive for some firms in the two-year time scale.

But Alan Kelley, transport compliance officer, said taxi firms that had worked through the pandemic and were turning out “good and clean” taxis would be willing to make changes.

He said: “What this would do is reduce the number of substandard taxi owners that we have out there, the guys that just turn out on a Friday or Saturday night. It is not their bread and butter, it is just a hobby that they have because they have a vehicle that is suitable.”

Under the new rules, all wheelchair-accessible taxis would have to have side door access rather than rear access doors.

Private hire cars will have to have a minimum of four separate doors, exactly four passenger seats if they are saloon vehicles, or exactly eight passenger seats for MPVs.

Saloon cars will only be licensed if they have a maximum CO2 emission level of 150g/km for diesel vehicles and 165g/km for petrol vehicles, while eight-seaters must not exceed 225g/km for either diesel or petrol.

Council transport officer Andrew McLellan suggested that some smaller companies could be given some leeway if they were struggling to meet the rules, though he acknowledged the need “to have a line in the sand”.

The committee approved the new restrictions, with Cllr John McMillan said: “I think we are giving a heads-up and there is sufficient time to tackle this.”

Gridserve opens new Wiltshire EV charging hub close to Stonehenge

Mark Bursa

Gridserve has opened another EV charging ‘Super Hub’ close to the A303 in Wiltshire.

The charging station is at Solstice Park, close to Stonehenge in Wiltshire. It shares the site with Greggs and Taco Bell drive-throughs, so there’s a choice of food and drink while you recharge.

The new Gridserve Electric Super Hub has 8 high-power chargers, capable of charging at up to 350kW, which allows 100 miles of range to be added in 5-10 minutes on suitable EVs. The chargers use 100% net zero energy from Gridserve’s pioneering hybrid solar+ battery farms.

Contactless payment is accepted to make it as easy as possible for drivers

to charge. The chargers feature both CCS and CHAdeMO connectors as well as a larger bay to help with accessibility.

24 Rochdale taxi firms merge to form Tiger 2000 ‘cooperative’

Twenty-four taxi companies in Rochdale have formed a single co-operative organisation called Tiger 2000.

The 24 firms include Tiger Cars, 2000 Cars, Castle Taxis, Strand Taxis, United Millennium, Central Newline, Town Taxis, Cozy Cars and Heywood Cars. The move is designed to maximise working opportunities for drivers in the borough and improve the customer experience.

Passengers will still be able to use the same phone number for each individual firm, or use a new Tiger 2000 app to book a ride. James Scholes, Tiger 2000 manager, said the idea came about after a number of drivers left the industry during the Covid pandemic.

He said: “As soon as Covid hit straight away the taxi trade took a massive nosedive. We were still providing a service for essential users like the NHS. Every firm dropped to about 10% of the workforce. There wasn’t even enough work for that 10%, and their earnings were down nearly 80%.”

The new structure means any car operated by any of the 24 firms will be able to operate across the borough instead of in their core areas. Scholes said this would cut down on dead mileage as a driver from a firm based in one part of town would

Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve said: “We are thrilled to open this latest Electric Super Hub on this major road. In 2021, we opened

one Electric Super Hub, in 2022 we have opened 11 new locations and in 2023, we aim to continue to accelerate. Every new charging location makes a positive impact on moving the needle on climate change, enabling more electric journeys and giving those drivers yet to make the switch, the confidence to move to an electric vehicle.”

In 2022 Gridserve installed more than 100 high-powered chargers installed across 11 Electric Super Hubs and the second Electric Forecourt, which opened in Norwich. This growth is set to continue into this year, with an Electric Forecourt set to open at London Gatwick airport. Gridserve Electric Highway covers 85% of the UK’s motorway service areas.

not have to return to base after dropping off a passenger in another part of town.

For customers in all areas it should mean more availability of drivers and quicker pick-up times. “We’ve got a company in every part of Rochdale and Heywood,” said Scholes. “It makes absolute sense to have this cooperative of the different firms. It reduces the costs and provides a better service.

“Obviously it fills that gap of the number of drivers we lost because of the pandemic. We’ve

got a fantastic firm, we probably now carry 80% of the taxi users in Rochdale on a daily basis.”

Scholes said the idea was first mooted at the end of 2020. He also said each of the 24 firms;the firms’ offices would be kept open and none of the staff have lost their jobs.

“Some people are resistant to change but I’d like people to know we’ve done it for better customer service and if you combine the experience of all these firms together it runs into hundreds of years,” he said.

Uber to integrate its driver app with Apple CarPlay system

Mark Bursa

Uber drivers who use an Apple iPhone will be able to use Apple Car Play to run the Uber app directly from their car’s dashboard, according to reports in the technology media.

Tech website TechCrunch claims to have seen an email sent to Uber drivers, which tells them they will be able to run the Uber app on their car dashboards via CarPlay, effectively meaning they would no longer need to have a separate phone app running as well as a sat-nav.

CarPlay enables a car radio or head unit to be a display and controller for an iOS device. Uber drivers will be able to connect their dashboard to the Uber app by firstly opening the app on their iPhone and tapping ‘Go’ to go online. They must then connect their iPhone to their car via cable or wirelessly to launch CarPlay. Drivers can then use CarPlay to view and accept trips, navigate the Uber app, and add rides to their queued trips.

According to Apple, every major car manufacturer offers models that support Car Play or is planning on introducing them.

Uber launches Local Cab in Swindon and expands in Manchester and Stoke

Mark Bursa

Uber has launched its Local Cab service in Swindon for the first time, with major local operator Swoop coming on board.

Uber has also announced further extensions of the Local Cab service in Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent. These include Goodwins Cars in Manchester and New Moon Cars of Stretford, two operators recently acquired by leading Manchester operator Street Cars, which already accepts Uber jobs via the Local Cab network.

Also coming on board in the Greater Manchester area is the major Elton Blueline group, which operates throughout Bury, Rochdale and Bolton, and as far north as Burnley in east Lancashire.

Bolton-based PAL Cars & Bradshawgate has also joined the service, along with Stoke-based ABC Coaches.

Since Uber’s successful pilot of

Local Cab last year, the service has launched in almost 100 locations across the UK. Customers opening the Uber app in these locations can select the Local Cab option, alongside regular Uber options. Local Cab trips will be booked directly with local operators, and all subsequent customer support will be provided by them.

The arrival of Local Cab in

Swindon follows previous launches in nearby Bristol and Bath. Dave Scaramanga, Owner of Swoop, said: “We’re proud to bring Local Cab to the people of Swindon. This provides another way for customers to book with us – and for anyone visiting Swindon that already uses the Uber app, Local Cab will make it easy for them to book a ride with a local operator.”

Andrew Brem, General Manager at Uber UK said: “The success of Local Cab in towns and cities across the country has been great to see, and we’re thrilled to extend it to more operators. Delivering the best transport options to passengers remains our top priority, as well as boosting local economies and creating new earning opportunities for drivers.”

Ford Brings Hands-Free Driving Tech to Motorways in UK

Mark Bursa

The UK has taken a major step toward allowing self-driving cars on to Britain’s roads by approving Ford’s hands-free technology for motorway use.

Ford is the first automaker to introduce “handsoff, eyes-on” advanced driver assistance technology for use on pre-mapped motorways.

Drivers of 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles can activate a subscription to Ford’s BlueCruise system, that will allow them to use their cars handsfree on 2,300 miles of UK motorways.

The system has been extensively trialled in the US and Canada, with 193,000 cars covering 64 million hands-free miles since the system was launched last year.

BlueCrusie is a Level 2 hands-free advanced driver assistance system. It has become the first such system to attain regulatory approval for use on the motorway network in Great Britain, and is the first system of its kind approved in Europe.

The BlueCruise system monitors road markings, speed signs and evolving traffic conditions to control steering, acceleration, braking and lane positioning, as well as to maintain safe and consistent distances to vehicles ahead – right down to a complete halt in traffic jams.

In addition, sophisticated infra-red camera technology continually checks driver attentiveness for safety and confidence. It is this ability to monitor the driver’s awareness that has given the UK government the confidence to approve the system.

“It’s not every day that you can say you’ve placed one foot in the future, but Ford BlueCruise becoming the first hands-free driving system of its kind to receive approval for use in a European country is a significant step forward for our industry,” said Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e, Europe.

“Modern highways can be demanding even for the most confident drivers, and intimidating for many. BlueCruise can do some of the ‘heavy lifting’, to make highway driving less of a chore, and give drivers

that little extra confidence and convenience.”

Owners of model year 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles in Great Britain are the first to be able to activate BlueCruise via subscription. The first 90 days are included with the vehicle purchase and, thereafter, a £17.99 monthly subscription provides the flexibility to cover extended road trips and holidays, and enable the advanced driver assistance system around anticipated vehicle use.

Lisa Brankin, managing director, Ford UK & Ireland, said: “We have always strived to make technology accessible for our customers, and BlueCruise is this next step on this journey, making motorway driving a more comfortable experience.”

Jesse Norman, UK Transport Minister, welcomed the decision, saying: “It is great news that Ford has chosen us for the European launch of its BlueCruise technology, and I am delighted that this country is once more at the forefront of innovation. The latest advanced driver assistance systems make driving smoother and easier, but they can also help make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error.”

Ford expects BlueCruise to be activated in further European countries as and when regulatory conditions permit, and will roll out the system to further Ford vehicles in the coming years.

Uber partners with BP Pulse on global EV charging strategy

Mark Bursa

Uber electric vehicle drivers will be given priority access to BP Pulse’s massive high-speed charging network as part of a new deal between the energy giant and the ride-hailing market leader.

Under the terms of the agreement, BP intends to offer bespoke deals to drivers on the Uber platform that are tailored to each market, including providing incentives for them to charge with BP Pulse, including special offers.

The deal is designed to help drivers on Uber’s platform make the switch to EVs, and speed up Uber’s plan to become a zero-emissions platform in Europe and North America by 2030.

The BP-Uber global mobility agreement will see the companies work together worldwide, as Uber aims to have a 100% EV service by 2040. BP’s ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner. Uber and BP will initially focus key markets including Europe, the US and UK, with other countries including Australia and New Zealand to follow.

BP Pulse CEO Richard Bartlett said: “Drivers on Uber’s platform need great value access to the fast, reliable

charging infrastructure we’re building as they make the switch to electric. We’re investing billions of dollars worldwide in high-speed EV charging, digital products and services, and large scale bp pulse Gigahubs that will help commercial customers eliminate tailpipe emissions.”

Uber and BP Pulse started their strategic relationship back in 2021 when BP opened its first rapid commercial charging hub in London’s Park Lane. Uber was BP’s first ridehailing platform partner customer to offer access to the new hub which provides charge points to drivers on the Uber platform.

London is Uber’s leading market for electrification, with more than

Norwegian charge point provider Wattif EV to spend €50m in UK EV network

Norwegian EV charge point company Wattif EV is planning a €50 million investment in UK charging infrastructure. The company wants to set up charge points in public car parks, and wants to encourage car park operators to install the chargers by offering them a profit share.

Wattif EV opened its first UK charge points in Cambridge toward the end of 2022, and it is now planning to install more in Leeds and at locations in Scotland. It is in discussions to open “thousands” more within the next 18 months.

15% of miles driven with Uber in London all electric. Drivers on Uber’s platform in Europe are switching to EVs five times faster than the general population, and the company aims for a 100% EV fleet in London by the end of 2025.

Christopher Hook, Uber’s global head of sustainability said: “We want Uber to be the cleanest platform on Earth because it’s the right thing for consumers, our cities and our business. Getting to 100% electric is not something Uber can do alone. It is a team sport, and it will take partnerships like this to reach zero tailpipe emissions, especially as we know availability of easy to access, affordable charging infrastructure

In a statement, the company outlined its approach: “In establishing destination charge points where people park, rather than forcing EV drivers to park where they can charge, Wattif EV seeks to accelerate the electrification of the UK parking network by providing hassle-free access to charging infrastructure.”

“Simultaneously, Wattif EV provides the car parks’ landlord or owner the choice of a number of finance models whereby they can benefit from a share of net revenue, while rolling out a wider geographical range of ‘fast’ charge points which are cheaper to install and use than the traditional and more expensive, rapid charging options.”

Wattif EV UK has taken on a €50m investment from Luxembourg-based investment fund Marguerite in order to fund the expansion.

Wattif EV CEO Robert Svendsen said: “Significant European investments into our

is one of the biggest challenges for drivers.”

BP currently has 22,000 charging points worldwide, with operations in 10 countries. Its ambition is to have more than 100,000 charge points worldwide by 2030. This investment helps address the concerns of ridehailing drivers, as identified in a recent survey of 16,000 drivers on the Uber platform, by providing the reliable and convenient charging infrastructure they need to feel confident about making the switch to electric.

The partnership builds on Uber’s initiatives to help drivers go electric, including adding a Charging Map directly to the Driver app to show them where the nearest EV chargers are located as well as launching an EV Hub in the Uber Driver app, a one-stop shop where drivers can get information and compare the total cost of ownership (TCO) of an EV with a non-EV.

The two companies will also explore working together on convenience and fuel offers. BP has a global network of almost 21,000 branded retail sites that offer fuel as well as food for now and for later with retail partners, and facilities such as toilets.

own business shows that UK expansion is built on solid foundations and becomes an integral part of our plans to establish a leading European wide network of EV destination chargers.”

He added: “To hit the UK’s 2030 EV targets there needs to be strong support from business, local authorities and Government to establish a coordinated strategy delivering EV cars, EV infrastructure and EV battery supply. Actions speak louder than words and I believe business must lead this charge given all the pressures on the UK Government right now: our strong end to 2022 and start to 2023 shows that Wattif EV is ideally placed to be a critical path to that ambition.”

Svendsen concluded: “Charging en-route at service stations is not viable long-term – charging without thinking, planning or worrying, at home and destination, is key to driving growth of EV sales.”

—Mark Bursa

Osprey ramps up charging network roll-out with plans to quadruple installations in 2023

Mark Bursa

Osprey Charging has accelerated its plans to install a major network of electric vehicle rapid charge points, installing as many rapid chargers in the first quarter of 2023 as it did in the whole of 2022.

Osprey opened 142 new rapid EV charging stations in the January-March period, with a further 50 chargers being installed and made live in April.

Osprey is now the fourth-largest rapid UK charging network, with 536 rapid chargers nationwide, and expects to continue roll-out at pace to reach more than 1,000 live by the end of 2023.

Osprey Charging Network CEO Ian Johnston said: “The deployment of Osprey’s national infrastructure of EV charging stations is at full speed. We are set to continue this pace of roll-out and deliver on our business plan of achieving four times as many chargers in 2023 than we did in 2022.”

He continued: “Now that we have established a broad network our focus is to continue to expand but also provide a high quality of experience for EV drivers all over the country. Over the next two years we will invest over £100 million expanding our nationwide public charging network.”

“We look forward to working with our partners to help bring this strategy to life, delivering our strong

Gridserve opens north-east Electric Super Hubs at Moto Washington service areas

Mark Bursa

Gridserve has opened two Electric Super Hubs at Moto Washington North and South motorway services on the A1(M) just south of Newcastleupon-Tyne. The hubs each have six 350kW-capable High Power chargers, joining the Gridserve Electric Highway network of more than 160 locations.

All Gridserve Electric Hubs feature both CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, accept contactless payment and provide real-time status updates to many popular EV charging maps. The chargers are powered by 100% net zero carbon energy from the company’s hybrid solar+ battery farms.

Since 2021, the Gridserve-Moto partnership

development pipeline of sites with a breadth of landlords, as well as on our own land.”

Osprey is focusing on charger hubs with at least four charge points, which can maximise availability and speed. The network’s load-balancing hubs, first introduced to the UK in 2021, dynamically distribute available power in real time to cars as they need it, which means more charge points can be installed on a smaller grid connection than a traditional set up and no power is wasted.

Osprey focuses on ease of use and payment and accessible site design to create a worry-

free experience for those drivers using the public charging network for the first time, or with access requirements. Its charging stations are open to all drivers, and accept all the major EV roaming solutions for fleet and commercial drivers.

Its charging locations are consistently scored highly for safety and accessibility by independent inspection body ChargeSafe, and Osprey Charging Network is in the Top 3 UK Chargepoint Network Operators for both personal safety and accessibility. Every Osprey charging point is also powered by 100% renewable electricity.

has delivered more than 320 EV charging points, with 142 of those being High Power EV charging points across 18 locations. These join Gridserve’s dedicated Electric Forecourts in Norwich and Braintree, with a third due to open at Gatwick Airport in 2023.

Gridser ve CEO Toddington Harper said: “As the demand for electric vehicles and charging increases, it is vital we continue this pace to roll out the installation of High Power chargers to support EV

drivers and those making the switch to electric. We look forward to continuing our expansion and installing hundreds more High Power chargers across the network.”

Moto Chief Executive, Ken McMeikan said: “As the largest UK Motorway Services Operator, we are continuing our mission to transform the UK’s rest stop experience, and reducing range anxiety by revolutionising the EV charging experience for motorists on motorways is at the heart of our plans.”

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TESTIMONIALS

The driver shortages have been really difficult, but we’ve actually had a lot of new drivers approach us who want to work for us and increase their earnings.

Amir Khan Manager 001 Taxis

The fact that Local Cab only uses drivers when they’re clear is a godsend. It’s been a struggle so it’s just handy that they have these jobs when it’s a little quieter.

David Sherwood General Manager Amber Cars

Local Cab is going better than I expected. It was straight forward getting it switched on and we’ve started to notice the extra bookings pick up.

Nomaan Hussain Owner Jet Taxis

Are taxis getting a raw deal in the Clean Air Zones?

The introduction of clean air zones continues to raise controversy as more UK cities introduce charging zones, with older and dirtier vehicles forced to pay daily charges to enter the zones.

And while the arguments in favour of cleaner city centre air are undeniable, with urban dwellers more likely to suffer from respiratory diseases as a result of higher particulate and NOx levels, there are concerns that the way the charges are being applied are unfair, and in some cases downright cruel. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, we’re looking at you.

And many in the taxi and private hire sector believe they are getting a raw deal from a number of cities, where older cabs are coming subject to charges while private cars are not. This runs contrary to the oft-quoted view that taxis help reduce congestion and, by implication, pollution, by removing private cars from the roads.

That view seems to carry little weight in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for example, where a city centre CAZ went live on January 30. Under the scheme, non-compliant taxis or PHVs – vehicles that don’t meet Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel emissions standards – have to pay £12.50 per day to enter the city centre zone. A £50 seven-day pass was also available to lower costs for taxis. But private cars are exempt, regardless of emissions standard.

The Category C CAZ will cover most of the Newcastle city centre, including the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh bridges. Charges for taxis are now live, while charging for non-compliant vans will start in July 2023.

“Private cars, motorcycles, mopeds, newer vehicles and those with zero emissions will not be charged,” said the council in a statement, adding the CAZ was being brought in following a legal order issued by government to reduce “illegal levels of air pollution

caused by traffic in certain areas”.

Understandably, operators in Newcastle are not happy with this state of affairs. Ian Shanks, managing director of Blueline, one of the city’s biggest private hire fleets, described the situation as “madness”. He said: “Regardless of age, a car can be decommissioned as a taxi and sold to a member of the public. They can then go and chug through the same town free of charge, likely carrying fewer people, so not saving additional trips, unlike a taxi. But as a taxi it faces a £12.50 per day charge.” How is that correct?”

David Lawrie, director of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, said the rules would also see taxi drivers having to pay the charge when they were not working, if they used their licensed vehicle to travel into the city centre. He told the BBC: “The fact remains it’s a licensed vehicle and the purpose of its use is irrelevant.”

The pattern is repeated in Sheffield, where a CAZ went live on February 27. Like the Newcastle CAZ, Sheffield’s CAZ is a Class C charging zone, and is in place in the city centre and around the inner ring road. And as with the Newcastle CAZ, noncompliant private hire vehicles are already being charged £10 a day to enter the zone.

Sheffield Council has granted an exemption until June 5 for Hackney taxi

operators to upgrade older vehicles in order to avoid having to pay £10 a day to enter the zone. But there is no extension for private hire vehicles, so vehicles that do not meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) emissions standards now have to pay the charge. And as with Newcastle, private cars are exempt.

Newcastle City Council denied the daily charges were a money-raising scheme, and said financial support was available for affected drivers and business owners. But drivers have complained that applications for financial support are taking months to process.

Both Newcastle and Gateshead councils acknowledged there had been high demand for the grants, with more than 1,300 applications. The councils said these were being processed “as quickly as possible” and any applicant who had not received a response would be given a temporary 120day exemption from any CAZ charges.

Shanks criticised the grants, saying they were only geared up to supplying new cars, rather than helping drivers with noncompliant cars upgrade to a slightly newer compliant car – for example, trading a Euro 5 diesel for a petrol-electric hybrid of a similar age and value.

He said: “The council only allows you to do any deal through a motor dealer. You can’t go private, nor can you go through auction. So the motor dealer knows your plight, and is asking top dollar for his car, while offering you bottom dollar for your trade in.”

As cities roll out charging zones in city centres, drivers of older taxis and PHVs are being hit harder than private motorists. Now operators are questioning the logic of these moves

Mark Bursa

“The pattern is repeated in Sheffield, where a CAZ went live on February 27. Like the Newcastle CAZ, Sheffield’s CAZ is a Class C charging zone...”

He also said the trade-in value would be valued for the purpose of the grant at the price the driver paid for the car, not what is worth today. So for a 10-year-old car originally bought for £15,000 being traded against a new car worth £20,000, the amount of grant will be valued at the £5,000 difference, “not the £19,000 difference you have to pay due to the noncompliant car only being worth a grand”, he said.

Other councils are more generous. Bradford Council is offering taxi and private hire drivers grants of up to £10,000 to switch to cleaner vehicles. The council claims this is the highest grant of its type anywhere in the UK.

The grants, which will be available later this year, are to help with purchase, lease or running costs of electric vehicles. The move is part of efforts to improve air quality, following the introduction of the Bradford Clean Air Zone for the city area last September.

Bradford has been able to offer generous grants as relatively few private hire vehicles in its area will not meet the CAZ limits. The council says 98% of the 4,000 licensed taxi and private hire vehicles in the Bradford district already meet the CAZ standard – so only around 80 drivers would be subject to a daily charge.

But the council said the £4 million of funding was being made available to encourage take-up of EVs, including for hybrid vehicle drivers wanting to go fullyelectric. Drivers will be able to apply from May 2023, and the grant will be increased for non-Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles from £6,000 over 2 years to £10,000 over 2 years which brings it into line with the Hackney Carriage and Wheelchair Accessible Private Hire Vehicle EV grants.

Taxis that have already upgraded to other compliant vehicle types (such as petrol/electric hybrid) can apply for a topup grant if they choose to go fully electric.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, said: “We are pleased to further extend our support to the Bradford taxi trade for the upgrade of their vehicles to fully electric by offering up to £10,000 per vehicle in grant funding to assist proprietors with the running costs of a fully electric Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle.

The grants are on a sliding scale depending on vehicle type. Bradford Council has published details of the Clean Air Taxi (CAT) programme, which includes the following:

Four-seat and 5-8 seat non-wheelchair accessible Private Hire Vehicles: up to

£3,200 for purchase of vehicle replacement. Up to £3,200 for LPG options, including the cost of converting an existing licensed Euro 5 or 6 petrol car to LPG, or against the purchase of a compliant LPG vehicle. LPG conversions must be in accordance with UKLPG Approved Installers Scheme. £6,000 is available for help towards the running costs of a fully electric vehicle with first payment of £3,000 on completion of application and second payment one year later subject to continued compliance with the terms and conditions of the award.

For Hackney Carriages and Wheelchair

Accessible Private Hire Vehicles, up to £5,000 is available for purchase of vehicle replacement or conversion of a noncompliant vehicle to compliant standard, such as LPG.

£10,000 is available for help towards the running costs of a fully electric vehicle with first payment of £5,000 on completion of application and second payment one year later subject to continued compliance with the terms and conditions of the award. Grants will only be awarded where a replacement vehicle is a ‘like for like’ replacement, or the replacement is a 4-seat petrol-electric hybrid private hire vehicle. The funding will be allocated on a firstcome, first-served basis.

analysis: clean air zones

Manchester likely to revisit Clean Air Zone plans with scaled-down scheme for 2024

A year after putting its controversial Clean Air Zone plans on hold following a massive local backlash, Greater Manchester is working on a smaller, less intrusive alternative CAZ scheme, for introduction in 2024 at the earliest.

The original scheme was due to cover all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs, stretching as far north as Bolton, as far south as Stockport and as far west as Wigan. It was due to come into force in May 2022, but was put on hold following huge protests from local businesses.

Mancunian transport bosses now do not want to introduce a paid-for scheme, but are under pressure from the UK Government to introduce a city centre charging zone along the lines of those recently imposed in Newcastle and Sheffield.

Since the original plan was scrapped last year, Greater Manchester has wanted to introduce an “investment-led” plan, where owners of older vehicles would be given funding to replace them with newer and cleaner ones. This new proposal was put to the government last summer, but in response, the Government has asked for data analysing the impact of introducing charges only in Manchester city centre, which is expected to be prepared by this June.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham (pictured centre) said he wanted all Clean Air Zone charges to be scrapped, but is now hedging his bets, saying it

was “highly unlikely” that any charges would be introduced other than in parts of Manchester and Salford.

In practice, this means a Class C Manchester CAZ would be within the inner relief road, so vehicles travelling on the Mancunian Way, Great Ancoats Street or Trinity Way would not be charged unless they enter the city centre.

Like the previous plans, cars would be exempt from any charges but buses, taxis and lorries which do not meet Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel emissions standards would have to pay. In a bid to appease local businesses, non-compliant vans would be exempt from charges, though this has not been set in stone. The daily charges would be the same as previously proposed: £7.50 for taxis and private hire vehicles, £60 for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles and £10 for vans and minibuses.

It is proposed that funding available for vehicle upgrades would be upped by 22.5% to account for inflation. A public consultation on the scheme is likely to be held this year.

Bury council leader Eamonn O’Brien said: “The investment-led non-charging zone remains the policy of the 10 local authorities. We believe it can be delivered. We believe it should be started as soon as possible so that we can get that investment out of the door and into the wider community. But clearly, there are still some hurdles to jump through from government before we’re in a position to do that.”

—Mark Bursa

High Court grants judicial review into Mayor Khan’s outer London ULEZ expansion

Mark Bursa

THE HIGH COURT HAS granted permission for a Judicial Review into the proposed expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) into all outer London boroughs from August 2023.

Permission has been granted on two grounds: Failure to comply with relevant statutory requirements, and whether the Mayor properly considered the previous “buffer zone” approach as a material consideration in relation to the scrappage scheme. The hearing of the claim is likely to be listed in the week commencing Monday 3 July or shortly thereafter.

The legal challenge was launched by a coalition of councils – the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Hillingdon and Harrow, along with Surrey County Council, into Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London’s plans to expand the ULEZ to outer London.

Nick Rogers, the Conservative’s transport spokesperson at City Hall, welcomed the decision, saying: “The High Court has now ruled there is sufficient evidence that Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ decision may have been unlawful.”

“The mayor clearly does not have the legal grounds to proceed with his ULEZ tax plans and must now explain his actions to the court.”

The ULEZ expansion is scheduled to come into force from August 29, 2023. From that date, motorists driving into outer London boroughs will have to pay £12.50 per day if their cars do not meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) emissions standards.

Cllr Colin Smith, Leader of Bromley Council, said: “We have continued to outline our concerns about the legality of the decision being made, which is why we have taken legal action. We welcome the fact that these concerns will now be heard by the High Court, with the outcome a matter for the court to determine.”

“Our principled opposition to the expanded ULEZ remains undiminished. We will continue to stand up for residents and the many businesses

who face an even more uncertain future. We are standing up for what is right, which includes clean air, with Bromley’s excellent record in this regard already plainly evident within the Mayor’s own research papers.”

He added: “Our borough is already a healthy borough by virtually every measurement, with the truth about the longer term intentions of the enforcement cameras, that of road price charging for all, now slowly but surely being dragged out into the open for all to see.”

“There is still time for the Mayor to pull back and take a more considered approach which takes outer London’s differing needs and circumstances into account and I call upon the Mayor publicly once again to do precisely that, not just for the good of due process, but most of all for the benefit of all those threatened by the horrendous daily cost of his proposed tax, particularly upon those least able to pay.”

Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said: “We were confident that the coalition had

analysis: clean air zones

put together a robust case against expansion and this is backed up by the courts agreeing to have our challenge heard. We listened to our residents and businesses who have expressed significant concerns over the social and economic impact of ULEZ expansion and could not stand aside and allow it to be rolled out without challenge.”

He concluded: “We remain confident that the court will see that the Mayor failed to follow due process, that his proposed scrappage scheme is inadequate, the irreparable harm ULEZ expansion would have on outer London and its neighbours, and that it will rightfully quash these disastrous plans.”

Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, said: “The residents of Bexley gave us a clear mandate to oppose Mayor Khan’s proposal to expand the ULEZ. It was never about air quality and we believe it would have disastrous consequences for many of our residents and businesses, as well as others who regularly travel into the borough. We hope that today’s decision moves us a step closer to stopping the Mayor’s money-making scheme.”

Cllr Paul Osborn, Leader of Harrow Council, said: “We said we would take this to court, and now we will get to present our case against the expansion of the ULEZ. This success is the first stage of the legal battle against the unpopular scheme which means the case will go to a hearing at the High Court. We are confident that the court will see how process was not followed through and proper steps not taken in relation to the scrappage scheme.”

“We have always had concerns about the impact ULEZ will have on our residents and businesses who are already struggling with the rising costs of living – it’s simply unfair! We will not back down on our fight against ULEZ and will continue to stand up for our residents.”

Cllr Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “This is good news and I’m pleased that our challenge to the Mayor of London regarding ULEZ is proceeding. The impact on Surrey’s residents and businesses has been ignored by the Mayor and it’s frankly disgraceful that it’s taken legal proceedings to have our voices heard.”

“Our consultation response in July 2022 clearly highlighted that the Mayor’s decision failing to include Surrey residents in any scrappage scheme was unacceptable, and proposed a number of other recommendations to help mitigate both the financial and potential environmental impacts of the expansion. Our concerns have not been addressed by the Mayor.”

“We remain committed to delivering a greener future, but it must be done in a practical and sustainable way. We will now await the findings of the Judicial Review.”

The Judicial Review may throw out the ULEZ expansion, but drivers with non-compliant cars may find it prudent to plan for the worst. From August 29, motorists in outer London boroughs will have to pay £12.50 per day if their cars do not meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) emissions standards. And with the ULEZ charge period running from midnight to midnight, a late-night drop-off in the outer boroughs would incur two charges – totalling £25 – if you stay in the zone after midnight.

Realistically, the expansion only affects drivers of diesel cars first registered before 2014. That was when Euro 6 standards became mandatory, and indeed, some diesels manufactured before that date are compliant. With Euro 4 petrol standards having been introduced in 2004, it’s unlikely that there will be many licensed petrol private hire vehicles that don’t comply. But there are likely to be some pre2014 Euro 5 diesels still operating as PHVs, so it’s advisable to check now and, if possible, upgrade to a compliant car.

A limited scrappage scheme is available, but only

improvement from extending ULEZ was negligible at best.” He added that the public was also against the plan: “In Mayor Khan’s own consultation, 80% of outer London businesses and employees, 75% of tourists, and 90% of black cab drivers oppose the expansion of the ULEZ. How Mayor Khan can go ahead with this expansion – despite such definitive and widespread opposition – is beyond me.”

It has also emerged that Mayor Khan may have manipulated the results of a consultation into ULEZ expansion to make it appear that more people were in favour of the move. Conservative members of the Greater London Assembly are demanding an inquiry into the plan, claiming that up to 5,000 responses to the consultation, mainly opposing the plan, were excluded from the final ULEZ consultation results after an intervention by the Mayor’s senior advisers.

Nick Rogers AM, GLA Conservatives transport spokesperson, has submitted a formal complaint about Sadiq Khan’s misconduct to the Greater London Authority monitoring officer.

Rogers claims mayor Khan made ‘false and dishonest’ statements to the London Assembly on six occasions when he and his deputy Seb Dance told the London Assembly that they had not been briefed in advance on the ULEZ consultation results. The Conservatives claim internal correspondence and secret documents reveal that this was untrue.

The documents apparently show thousands of responses, 90% of which opposed the expansion, were excluded from the final ULEZ consultation results. The intervention lowered the overall level of opposition in the final count by 3 percentage points (from 62% to 59%).

The level of opposition to mayor Khan’s plan to is highlighted in a survey by campaign group FairFuel UK.

for those meeting narrow criteria, and only if the money available (up to £2,000) is spent on a new car, not an equivalent compliant replacement. The Mayor’s Office and Transport for London believe 160,000 vehicles would be liable for the new levy, though this is disputed by the RAC, which has used DVLA data to show that almost 700,000 cars would not be compliant.

Despite the voluble opposition to the scheme, Khan has stuck to his guns, admitting the difficulties people were experiencing with rising costs was a “key consideration”, but declaring that “in the end, public health comes before political expediency”. More risibly, he also claimed “Covid deniers, conspiracy theorists and Nazis” had infiltrated protests against the scheme.

Romford’s Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell also strongly opposes ULEZ expansion, saying: “There is no evidence that this scheme will improve air quality. Sadiq Khan’s own Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) concluded that any air quality

The study of 42,792 motorists revealed that 1-in5 drivers will not drive into London once the zone is extended, while 3 in 4 drivers believe the ULEZ expansion is purely a money raising exercise, with only 12% believing the expansion will improve urban air quality.

The survey also revealed that 31% of sole traders such as plumbers and electricians would not drive into London any more, while 1 in 4 visitors and tourists said they would be discouraged from driving into London.

Six out of 10 drivers in the survey described Sadiq Khan as a “cash-grabbing” Mayor, with only 3% said he was an “environmental champion”.

Susan Hall, GLA Conservatives Leader, said: “Sadiq Khan has ignored an overwhelming majority of Londoners who oppose his plans to hit the poorest with a cost of living charge. The Mayor’s ULEZ expansion will have only a negligible effect on air quality, while devastating small businesses, charities and residents who cannot afford to upgrade their vehicles.”

“Rogers claims mayor Khan made ‘false and dishonest’ statements to the London Assembly on six occasions when he and his deputy Seb Dance told the London Assembly that they had not been briefed...”

While electric car sales have been gathering seemingly unstoppable momentum, over the past couple of years, the very top end of the market hasn’t been well served, leaving chauffeurs with very few options to replace their full-size diesel saloons.

continued on next page

Only game in town

Mark Bursa

continued from previous page

Late last year, that changed, when BMW finally started releasing the i7 into the market. Initial supplies were focused on the leading London chauffeurs, with the likes of Chabé, Belgraves and Gerrards all becoming early adopters of the all-electric 7-series replacement.

The i7 forms part of an all-new 7-series range, giving BMW a crucial advantage over rival Mercedes-Benz, whose new S-Class does not have a battery-electric option, only a plug-in hybrid. Mercedes last year launched the EQS as its top-line electric option, but the car’s low roofline and hatchback body has perhaps fallen short of chauffeurs’ expectations.

By contrast, BMW has not deviated from the tested formula for its biggest saloon, and has simply produced an electric version of the 7-series. And it does not disappoint. The car has been developed with chauffeurs very much in mind. The i7 is only available in long-wheelbase form, with two trim levels, M Sport and Excellence. The i7 xDrive60 is the launch model, priced from £107,400, which is roughly comparable to the PHEV Mercedes S580eL, and the EQS.

The new i7 is 130mm longer than the previous 7-series model at 5,391mm. It’s also 48mm wider at 1,950mm and 51mm taller at 1,544mm. The wheelbase is now 5mm longer at 3,215mm, adding to rear legroom. Rear headroom has also been improved.

The i7 is unmistakeably a 7-series, though an

even bigger grille and narrow, LED lighting creates a different face. Indeed, lighting is central to the strategy, with the BMW kidney grille highlighted in an LED surround, giving a distinctive night-time look.

Our test car sees chrome replaced by black, and with black wheels and paintwork, you’re basically driving a car-shaped Darth Vader. It’s a strong look, though most of the chauffeur fleets have stuck with a more traditional chrome trim look.

Indeed, BMW has made sure that the initial supplies of i7 have a very high specification level. All the first tranche of i7s come with one specification – loaded with many of the most impressive options of the car, including a fold-flat rear seat, a 32in drop-down wide screen in the rear and a “blackout” facility that turns the rear cabin completely dark should the passenger want to sleep.

This has speeded up the supply pipeline. With a single specification, there will be no delays associated with bespoke manufacturing, so if you order a car, you won’t have long to wait before it arrives.

The high specification level means the car has a lot of rear seat functions that should please demanding passengers. The rear seat passengers have access to built-in 5.5in tablet screens in each rear door, which can control many of the car’s functions, including the heated and air-conditioned seats, massage seats, telephone calls, dimming the lights and changing music, all of which the rear-seat passenger can control

without having to ask the driver.

Reclining rear seats are also optional, including foot rests that are integrated into the seat base. A panoramic glass sunroof is fitted as standard on all models. This consists of a single fixed glass surface framed by a steel surround. The transparent surface is larger than that of any rival and also much longer than on the outgoing 7-series.

You also get automatic front and rear doors, which are opened or closed simply by touching the handles or the buttons in the interaction bar. The opening and closing sequence can also be activated using the radiooperated key. A collision protection function is fitted when opening the doors.

Having spent a day being chauffeured by Chabé in an i7, it’s certainly a very comfortable experience. Whether many clients will want to use the full-width 31.3in drop-down screen is a moot point, but it’s there if you want to watch the integrated Amazon Fire TV in all its 8K widescreen glory.

From the driver’s seat, the i7 looks to be a sizeable upgrade on the previous 7-series. The separate satnav screen, criticised for being too small in the previous model, is replaced by a curved, widescreen display similar to that already seen on the iX and i4 EVs. The digital screen grouping consists of a 12.3in information display behind the steering wheel and a 14.9in control display screen, both incorporated into a single unit behind a shared glass surface.

Below the curved display screen grouping is an “interaction bar” to control some of the on-screen functions. The rotary controller for the infotainment system is retained on the centre console next to the gear selector, which is a simple forward/reverse switch.

The screen is a touch screen, but there’s no need to be jabbing away at it as you ride the potholes. The rotary controller enables data entry via individual letter input or via handwriting.

verdict

Ambient lighting incorporates a

Boot space at 500 litres is very good – much better than the previous PHEV 745Le. The useable space is narrow but deep, and wide enough for our regular test suitcases to fit side by side. With a bit of judicious stacking, you could probably get four cases in – though you might have to leave the bulky charge cable at home. The boot lid also has automatic opening and closing, activated by either the push of a button or the movement of a foot under the rear apron.

The main question is about the car’s performance. Does it do what it says on the tin? The electric i7 xDrive60 has a claimed range of 367-388 miles (WLTP) on a full charge. The i7 allows AC charging at a rate of up to 11kW, with DC charging at a rate of up to 195kW, which should allows 106 miles (WLTP) of range to be added in 10 minutes at a high-power charging station capable delivering this power.

In cold, February conditions, that range claim does

appear somewhat optimistic. With almost a full charge (97%), the i7’s display claimed a range of 246 miles.

As for recharging, we stopped at Ionity’s superfast 350kW-capable chargers at Cobham services, where a recharge from 12% to 81% took 38 minutes, with power delivered at 76kW, some way short of the car’s maximum 195kW capacity (and the charge point’s abilities). Not bad, though – time for a snack and browse of WH Smiths. And oddly, the post-Ionity range claimed to be 251 miles at 81%.

Not all charge points are equal, of course. A trip to Birmingham required a recharge on the return journey, and with just 16% of juice remaining, I called in at Hopwood Park services on the M42, where two Gridserve chargers were available. These were 50kW fast chargers, though in practice, they delivered power at a rather sluggish 26kW, resulting in a tedious 1hr 20min wait just to get to 50%, and sufficient range to get back home (138 miles).

The Hopwood Park to base distance was 109 miles; I got home with the i7 showing 41 miles of range left, so it managed that 138 miles rather better than expected. So long as you drive within the speed limits, you should get a little more than the advertised range.

BMW has undoubtedly got it right with the i7, and thus has gained a significant advantage in the market over its main rival, Mercedes-Benz. Making the electric 7-series look like all the other 7-series versions is a masterstroke, and Mercedes’ strategy of having a different-looking EV line to its ICE range now looks a mistake, at least as far as chauffeuring is concerned.

The i7 feels different to the previous-generation 7-series too. Bigger, and more stately, with a genuine presence both inside and out. These are serious boxes to tick for chauffeur use. It’s smooth and exceptionally quiet, and the rear seat functionality is class-leading. Even the boot space is very workable.

Is there a downside? Only the fact that it is an EV, and has the limitations of any EV. Range is ,in practical terms, around 250 miles. With judicious use of overnight charging, a full day’s local work should pose no problems, and you should be able to minimise use of the more expensive networks on longer runs.

If you do use the networks, do your research and find the fastest available chargers – which might not be in the most obvious locations. And build in enough time to cope with slower than expected charging speeds. One benefit for i7 buyers is 12 months’ free use of Ionity chargers – a very worthwhile offer, as these normally cost 69p/kW.

For the foreseeable future, BMW will have this market to itself. Audi has a large EV on the stocks, but it is likely to be some form of SUV-crossover. Mercedes has no plans to make an electric S-Class, so you’re stuck with EQS (and the forthcoming EQS SUV). The only other luxury electric saloon on the market is the Genesis G80, which is more in the E-Class/5-series size range.

So if you want an electric chauffeur limousine, the i7 is the only game in town.

Charging speed is dependent on so many factors – time of day, temperature, how many other cars are charging, and general power draw from the local grid. It’s manageable but not ideal, and requires planning.

As for the i7, it’s in the upper bracket of real-world range, with a dependable 250 or so miles on offer with a full charge. That certainly makes LondonBirmingham or London-Bristol achievable without a stop, while London-Manchester is doable, but not without some range anxiety.

On the road, you’re aware of the sheer size of the car. EVs are heavy thanks to the battery pack, so the i7 feels exceptionally stable on motorways. It has air suspension and all-wheel steering, so flat, almost rollfree cornering is a major feature. The rear-steer also comes into its own when manoeuvring in town.

The car is exceptionally smooth and quiet, as you’d expect from an electric powertrain. There’s plenty of power available if you need to overtake quickly, though the i7 is in its element at 70mph, in comfort mode, which helps it ride the potholes (even with the lowprofile tyres fitted to our test car).

faceted light bar that runs across the whole lower dashboard and on to the front doors. It’s impressive, though perhaps a little intrusive.

Creeping restrictions that are killing our trade

Not surprisingly at the moment, a great deal of the industry’s intellectual intelligence and energy appears to be expended on issues such as the Sefton case, VAT on fares, new statutory guidance and best practice guidance, together with cross-border hirings and, when time allows, driver shortages.

But more than one insidious parasitic issue is becoming firmly established in cities and towns across the UK. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, together with 101 reasons why drivers cannot stop, drop off or pick up.

Dr Michael Galvin

Add to this untold levels of congestion and you have numerous reasons why drivers find they cannot remain in the industry. Sheer frustration at the constraints on their earning ability means trying to deliver a consistently reliable service is fast becoming a pipe dream.

Like most ideas, the above list of obstacles to service provision no doubt started life with good intentions. But like most good intentions, the ideas have taken on a life of their own and the original objectives have been long forgotten.

There are not many cab drivers who would disagree that we are heading to hell in a handcart. While I don’t claim to be a scientist or environmental expert, the logic of cramming increasing volumes of stationary traffic into city streets, emitting exhaust gases, while claiming that there is an environmental benefit fails my reasonability test.

Likewise, expecting vulnerable and disabled people to walk through dark, cold streets to get to their front door sounds a long way from improving public safety.

The direction of travel now seems to be to maximise the number of planters, bollards and other obstacles together with camera enforcement, and in doing so cut off huge swathes of every town and city. It is probably sensible to reduce speed limits in the backwaters of most towns and cities and to reduce or wherever possible eliminate rat-runs. But putting huge residential areas off limits appears to be complete folly.

So what is our industry doing about it? After all this is alienating customers, reducing driver incomes and will before long adversely impact the viability of many operators. Among the many important trade shows, panels and speakers, who is taking on the public affairs responsibility to secure the streets for taxis and private hire? Its OK, you haven’t gone deaf – the answer is no one!

The taxi and private hire industry is conceptually a simple proposition. Customers hail a taxi or call a PHV and expect to be taken to their destination by a relatively direct route at a reasonable price. Occasionally they like to phone

for a cab to pick them up from their home.

When these things are no longer possible, what are taxis and private hire for? When drivers struggle to make a living, as customers get increasingly fed up of paying more and more for journeys that are getting longer in distance and duration how long before they decide this isn’t working?

I remain aghast at how people can passively accept wave after wave of damage to their individual businesses and this industry as a whole and not reach a conclusion that it needs comprehensive representation. Public affairs specialists are not cheap but if ever a threat was worth investing some money into surely halting the removal of swathes of public highway is one. Co-ordinating residents and businesses and pushing back against this insidious and damaging development is no longer just a London issue, but one that needs to be taken seriously everywhere.

The other insidious development is the ‘six points and you are out policies’ being adopted by licensing authorities. Although people in the UK are supposed to be protected from ‘double jeopardy’ (being tried for the same offence twice) this concept doesn’t appear applicable to cab drivers who are increasingly finding themselves out of work.

No sane person would argue that serious driving offences shouldn’t result in a licence review, and probably an uncomfortable interview. But how unfair is it and as importantly how unnecessary is it for a driver with two three-point penalties incurred over a period of months to find themselves fully licensed to drive a vehicle but out of work through dint of not being licensed to drive a cab?

An additional aggravating factor here is the regularity in which speed limits are changed. I have personal experience of 30mph roads suddenly changing to 20mph without, I might add, any real intent to inform road users. If this habit doesn’t inhibit a clean driving record what does?

Drivers losing licences almost gratuitously, roads being blocked and annexed willy-nilly and congestion at historically high levels do not do anything but prevent you from providing a reliable, reasonably priced service.

Your business is at risk, and unfortunately drivers are at risk of losing their livelihood for a moment’s carelessness. Vulnerable members of the public are sacrificed on the altar of good intentions and the industry remains deadly quiet. It’s a funny old world! n

Happy Birthday, dear VAT…

OUR FAVOURITE TAX HIT ITS 50TH birthday on… you guessed it – April 1. For many businesses (and accountants for that matter), the humour in that date was not lost. Over the years VAT has always been a troublesome issue, because so many businesses are confused by the rules.

I have had a few months where VAT has not been far from my mind in my working life (not unusual for an accountant you say), but it seems to be popping up more and more as a problem. Not just in my general consultancy and accounting client advice work, but in enquiries from people who can’t get their own accountant to be brave enough to set a fixed model in place of what you can and can’t do.

Let me give you some examples:

n People missing activities in their business that they should be charging VAT for but don’t

n Businesses charging VAT on stuff they don’t need to be charging for

eazitax.co.uk

n Charging VAT on things that already attracted VAT through a supplier (to be fair this can be super complicated and not always straight forward, even with the best intentions)

n Businesses and individuals avoiding registering by staying under the £85,000 threshold, or because they think they don’t turn over enough, but actually limiting the growth of their business or the chance to benefit from the VAT system.

So, for those of you not in the know, lets look at the basics and then see what this tax means to many people and businesses in our trade. I’m sorry, but just to be fair to all, I’m going to lay some real “Tax 101” basics on you. VAT (Value Added Tax) is a tax added to most products and services sold by VAT-registered businesses. Businesses have to register for VAT if their VAT taxable turnover is more than £85,000. However, they can also choose to register if their turnover is less than £85,000.

It also comes with obligations. You must:

n Include VAT in the price of all goods and services at the correct rate

n Keep records of how much VAT you pay for things you buy for your business.

n Report the amount of VAT you charged your customers and the amount of VAT you paid to other businesses by sending a VAT return to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) every quarter digitally (thanks to the obligations of Making Tax Digital).

There are also specialist VAT schemes which are suited to assorted sizes of businesses and trading styles such as Flat Rate, Cash Accounting, and so on, which can work to your advantage sometimes, even for sole traders.

And most obviously, you pay any VAT you owe to HMRC. The VAT you pay is usually the difference between any VAT you’ve paid to other businesses, and the VAT you’ve charged your customers.

If you’ve charged more VAT than you’ve paid, you must pay the difference to HMRC. If you’ve paid more VAT than you’ve charged, The lovely people at the HMRC give you money.

All sounds super simple however in the passenger transport sector, we seem to be dealing with a lot of issues surrounding what “the service” is? I’ve written plenty of stuff about TFL and the Passenger Principal ruling so I’m not going there today, but we do have to understand what attracts VAT.

Is it the money that drivers are paid either directly or on behalf of the operator, or sometimes the operator is paid directly or on behalf of the driver?

Is it the commission or rent that drivers pay the operator, is it the money we charge passenger or operators charge corporate clients, or work received through aggregators and similar platforms? I haven’t even started with monies from clients or aggregators based outside of the UK!

Well, you will be pleased to know that the definitive answer is: Yes, No, sometimes and maybe (you didn’t think it would be that easy, did you!).

The government has an eye on VAT in the UK and has formed a working group to look at the passenger transport sector. The government says it is looking to simplify the system, which as you may have worked out would not be a bad thing. However, the working group’s brief also includes looking at VAT on fares and consideration of what “account work” actually means in our sector – and it would seem this means different things to different people.

Our job is to make sure that VAT doesn’t bring your business tumbling to the ground, and you aren’t used as The HMRC’s punchbag.

So, what can we take from this today:

1. You need to think about how your business deals with VAT

2. You should not be scared to take a close look at if you are doing it right (for HMRC and you)

3. Operators, you need to push your accountant to set a working model that you understand, and they can defend

4. Even if you are too small to be VAT registered, does it benefit you to do so.

I have to finish all this by saying this article cannot give you the specific advice you need because every business is different, but I hope it has got you thinking about your own situation.

Gary Jacobs

Gary Jacobs runs Eazitax, an accountancy firm specialising in the taxi and private hire business

A matter of life and death

ALI ASGHAR WAS A 38-YEAR-OLD hard-working Uber driver. Arriving from Pakistan more than 10 years ago he grafted continually to make a living. His brother, also named Ali, told how his sibling did any kind of work necessary to pay his way. From leafleting to stints flipping burgers at McDonald’s. He eventually bought a house in Rochdale and was able to purchase a new Mercedes, which was his work vehicle. As one of six children he worked hard. “Crazy hours,” Ali told the Manchester Evening News, so that his brother could send money to their family in Pakistan, who depended on his earnings for support.

Ali said “Even the day before he was assaulted, he told me, I am very happy with my life, as I have managed to complete and achieve all of my major goals in life and can now finally relax and take it easy.” But this was not to be.

On the night of October 30, 2021, Ali Asghar was murdered by his passengers after they refused his request that they stop eating burgers and chips in his car. He pulled over into a garage to let them out, where they proceeded to beat him to death. His killers were caught and were sentenced to life imprisonment.

This case is an extreme example of the assaults faced by professional drivers across the country on an almost hourly basis. Neither the devolved governments, regulatory authorities or the operators appear capable or willing to combat the violence faced by drivers. Passengers, who for a variety of reasons, feel that it is OK to vent their anger on professional drivers, face almost no sanction when they do so.

It is time that such assaults are stopped.

Why am I raising this case now? Recently one of our members called for support following a serious sexual assault. Shortly after another member had his car trashed following the refusal of his passenger to stop smoking in the vehicle.

Across the profession it appears that neither the operators, the licensing authorities nor the Governments of the UK seem to be that concerned about the safety of professional drivers. At the lowest level of passenger misbehaviour I have come across, drivers who have been reported to the operator, and subsequently to the licensing authority for a range of issues which, on examination appear impossible to have occurred. Yet nothing is done to those making such false complaints.

In addition, I have spoken to drivers who have feared threats and intimidation from passengers. The GMB Union has also provided advice and direct support to female members who were subject to sexual assaults. Many drivers

have faced violent assaulted and a few, like Ali Asghar, Gabriel Bringye, Mohammed Istakhar and Anakh Singh, have been murdered by their passengers.

Members’ complaints of assault or misbehaviour to their operators have been met with no serious response except sweet words. Despite the operators having all of the details of the passengers I have not come across a case where a rider has been sanctioned for their behaviour. This gives rise to passengers believing that drivers, including our members, are fair game on which to vent their frustration or as a means to get a refund for their journey from the operator.

I believe that this perception by passengers is exacerbated by the fact that the majority of our driver/ members are non-white.

It is time for the development and introduction of a policy and mechanism that spells out to riders that misbehaviour will not be tolerated but will be the subject of criminal action or other sanction, if they are committing acts harmful to drivers. The greatest deterrent to criminal or antisocial behaviour is the certainty of being caught and subject to penalties.

It is the responsibility of companies that depend upon their workers performing their tasks professionally, to have the safety of such persons as one of their priorities.

The licensing authorities should stipulate in their conditions of licensing that operators must have a robust system of pursuing persons who have established claims of criminal or other negative behaviour made against them by drivers.

There are a number of schemes that place details against persons working in certain industries, such as the Disclosure and Barring Service, the National Register of Taxi and Private Hire Licence Revocations and Refusals, Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

Now may be the time for a national register of refused passengers.

—Kwabena Dennot Nyack

n Dennot is an AGM trade union member and was a former representative of the GMB’s professional drivers. He is also an author and broadcaster with a strong knowledge of the private hire industry and an equality and diversity specialist.

email: dennotnyack@yahoo.com

mobile: +44 0740 625 276

The stale bread in the sandwich

THE ‘SANDWICH GENERATION’ IS A relatively new demographic, of which I find myself a member. This group of unwilling warriors are the ones tasked with looking after their children (financially), babysitting grandchildren (constantly) and, due to advances in medical science, still caring for an older generation.

Let me tell you; the kids are not the main problem here, it is the older ones, the shouldknow-better elderly relatives that require the most effort. Okay, generalisation alert - but what a rude, ungrateful and racist bunch this lot has turned out to be. If this is what we have waiting for us in later life then sod dry January, keep drinking!

Kevin Willis

Everyday problems from the operator’s point of view...

Before you start penning letters of complaint, I am not referring to any World War 2 heroes who come equipped with a ‘I fought for your freedom’ get out of jail card. No, these are the children of those real warriors, and their biggest battle came when applying for a disabled badge for the Honda.

My wife and I spent Christmas and New Year on board the Cunard Queen Victoria ship, cruising down to the Canary Islands in the hunt for warmer weather. The ship was lovely if not a little dated. But the passengers were horrible and even more dated.

When boarding, we noticed eight coffins being loaded into the hold alongside the copious amounts of passenger luggage. Our first thought was how pessimistic that all was, but, on meeting some of my fellow travellers, I understood and even became a little concerned that eight coffins might be a dramatic underestimation on the Captain’s part.

They were mostly late seventies to late eighties and my initial reaction was one of admiration for the fact that they chose to still get out there on a major international voyage at such a ripe old age.

Nuh-huh. I’d been fooled. They complained about the food, the service, the drinks, the excursions, the entertainment and indeed any topic put before them would be met with the opinion that it was “not as good as it used to be”. They cheekily blamed a lack of staff while continuing to revel in a Brexit they voted for as it “got rid of those surly eastern Europeans”.

My tipping point came during one of the excursions. The coach took us to visit Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria. You know the drill: quaint harbour, arc of sand for a beach and, more importantly, a plethora of colourful restaurants selling gassy lager and seafood paella. Perfect.

Our instructions were to be back on the bus for 15.40 with a view to leave at 15.45 but on return the head count revealed one elderly lady was missing. She, we deduced, was travelling alone

so no one knew her predicament.

What happened next shocked me, one fellow passenger stood up to thrust her bony finger toward the Spanish rep. “Leave her!” she barked. “She knew what time we were leaving. We all knew! I say LEAVE HER!”

If her reaction wasn’t bad enough, the rest of the passengers all then shouted their agreement and that the missing lady was collateral damage to their 6pm early dinner sitting. Who eats at 6 o’clock past the age of 9?

I pointed out that the missing lady might have become lost, confused or was hurt in some way. She might have early onset dementia for example. The journey back to the ship would take only 45 minutes so I asked for 10 minutes to go and search for her.

While I was gone my wife had one old biddy lean over and whisper “if he is so much as a minute late, we will leave him as well!”

I went to look for her because 1) I care and 2) doing the job we do, we are told to look out for confusion where the elderly are concerned. Indeed, a lot of the licensing authorities are making us spend hard-earned money so they can put us through various awareness courses to better equip us for spotting ‘red flag’ signs.

Alzheimer’s disease or any form of dementia is a hideous affliction that seems to be cursing many people these days. Of course it is bad for the sufferer themselves but, in many cases, it is worse for any spouse or partner or other family member. They watch helplessly as the person they love loses all memory of them, forgets precious moments and becomes something they would never have wished for - a burden to their family.

Please take a moment to think when driving elderly or vulnerable passengers, take a breath to consider what might be troubling them. These people are the reason we are being trained to care and without a doubt they, and their families need our help. All very worthy and in my view necessary but we should remember the old adage of ‘you earn respect’ never came with any upper age limit.

If half of the behaviour I witnessed on the ship had come from children then it would have seen them on the naughty step, if it had come from teenagers they would have been punched.

After all, It could be a lot worse. You could be asked to pick up any one of the miserable cruise passengers I’ve just had the misfortune to holiday with. That’s my tip to you because, trust me, that lot won’t be tipping you.

n Kevin Willis runs Chirton Grange, contact@chirtongrange.co.uk – 07725467263

Car of the Year Awards 2023

Judging Day

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Epsom Racecourse, Epsom Downs, Surrey

Join us this Summer four your opportunity to test and evaluate the latest cars for the taxi, private hire and chauffeur industry.

As a Professional Driver Car of the Year judge, you’ll be able to drive around 50 cars – and score them

on 17 points that encompass everything from looks to comfort, driveability, passenger space and even the boot. Your scores are used to help us choose our six category winners – and we present the awards at our legendary Professional Driver QSi Awards event later in the year.

Why not reward your best drivers with a day out too? Their expertise and knowledge will be very valuable!

To register as a judge click through on the website, below, or alternatively, just send an email to editor@ prodrivermags.com and we’ll make sure you’re on the list.

https://www.prodrivermags.com/car-of-the-year-home/