Council proposes petrol taxi phase out

A council will begin to phase out petrol taxis in less than three years, if proposed new rules are approved.

The new taxi and private hire licensing policy being considered by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council includes a timescale for a transition to zero-emission vehicles over the next 10 years.

Changes would include moving away from an age-based vehicle licensing policy to one based on emissions and engine type.

The policy will be sent out for a 12-week consultation with the taxi trade and other stakeholders, before being returned to the council for final approval.

“Currently, we have a policy that says that all vehicles have to be less than seven years old when they’re first licensed, and after 10 years they have more frequent testing," said licensing officer Matt Burton.

"What we’re looking to do is move away from an age policy altogether, and as suggested in the best practice guidance, move towards an emissions and fuel type criteria."

If the new policy is approved, the first change would take place in April, when the council would stop licensing vehicles that only meet the Euro 4 emissions standard, though this would only affect three taxis in the borough.

In 2025-26, the council would accept renewal applications for Euro 5 vehicles for the final time.

Licences for new vehicles powered by petrol, diesel or LPG would no longer be granted from April 2027, while no vehicles with internal combustion engines would be licensed from 2030.

In 2035, the council would stop granting licences for hybrid vehicles, meaning all taxis would need to have zero tailpipe emissions.

Another proposed change would ban private hire vehicles from displaying door livery showing the operator’s name, to prevent confusion between private hire vehicles and Hackney carriages.

However, concerns were raised that it may make it difficult for some people to identify the private hire vehicles they had booked.

Mr Burton added that this had been considered by the council.

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