Black cabs hit back in congestion row
August 10, 2007
The manufacturer of London's black cab taxis has hit back at assertions that its vehicles should no longer be exempt from the congestion charge.
The row began when the Retail Motor Industry Federation's Alec Murray suggested that the latest congestion charge plans ignore the impact on the environment of taxis and buses, which are exempt from London's congestion charge.
He also suggested that the carbon dioxide emissions of a black cab were worse than those of a comparable saloon car.
The average London taxi emits 210 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
However, LTI Vehicles, which has made black cabs for over 60 years, has issued a statement outlining the existing policies to lower emissions from their vehicles, which were created in conjunction with London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
The statement explains the Taxi Emissions Programme, which aims to reduce emissions from the entire black cab fleet by 37% by June next year, bringing it in line with Euro III standards.
It also says that black cabs only account for 0.4% of carbon dioxide emissions in London, despite each vehicle having to meet strict licensing conditions including the fitting to each vehicle of heavy disabled access and wheelchair equipment.
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