Fleet News

Technology is being used to show taxi drivers how electric vehicles can help their business and the environment.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have teamed up with EB Charging for a pilot scheme which will see telematics devices installed in a selection of petrol and diesel taxis in the area.

As taxi firms struggle with shortages of drivers, a taxi boss believes bringing more women into the industry will not only solve the problem, but will improve services, especially as the majority of taxi customers are women.

Rachel Dale, head of operations for AAA Taxis, is among a number of people calling for change in the male-dominated taxi industry.

Fuel prices at the pumps have soared this year, reaching averages of 191p per litre of petrol and 199p per litre of diesel in June.

For months, motorists have continued to feel the squeeze as petrol stations in some parts of the country were charging more than £2 per litre.

Improving technology has changed the way most people think about driving. A lot of the focus has been on electric vehicles and the drive to steer us all towards a greener future.

There have also been advances on driver assistance tools, such as cruse control, lane assistance, adaptive braking, self-parking and, more recently, autonomous vehicles.

There are few places you can go today without being picked up by an array of security cameras.

Whether it is in a bank, shop, or just walking down the street, the average person is filmed about 70 times a day.

Greater Manchester has submitted its revised Clean Air Zone plan to the government and wants to ban taxis not licensed locally in a bid to improve air quality.

As well as reducing pollution, the move to ban taxis licensed outside Greater Manchester is part of a wider plan to improve the regulation of taxis in the region.

Cash has always been king in cabs, but the improving technology followed by the pandemic have seen a major switch change in direction away from notes and coins.

As payments by card and by mobile phone have become the norm in shops, restaurants and businesses around the world, advances in mobile technology have meant people can use their cards on the go.

Taxi drivers are being urged not to risk vehicle safety when it comes to car maintenance as we all continue to feel the pinch.

The call comes as the cost of living continues to rise and soaring fuel prices mean it costs more to keep taxis on the road.

As drivers gear up to make the switch to electric vehicles, many are focusing on the cost, range and charging points of the green motors.

But there are also some key differences in the way an EV and a petrol and diesel car are driven, and it makes sense for people to consider taking lessons to get used to the new technology.

Switching from trusted diesel black cabs to an electric vehicle causes a dilemma for taxi drivers – when do they swap something that is reliable and has plenty of life left in it and shell out for an electric taxi?

With the ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol taxis from 2030, drivers have difficult decisions to make.

The range of electric vehicles has been one of the biggest factors putting people off buying them, especially those who rely on them for a living, like taxi drivers.

While even the least-economical petrol and diesel cars can deliver 400-500 miles per tank, many suitable electric vehicles have been delivering ranges of below 200 miles.

Choosing the right insurance is vital for keeping your taxi – your livelihood – on the road.

It is natural that drivers look for the cheapest quote when taking out or renewing their taxi insurance because no one likes paying more than they have to.