Combined Authority secures �1.9m for electric taxi & private hire vehicles charging points

Combined Authority secures �1.9m for electric taxi & private hire vehicles charging points

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has secured �1.9m of Government funding to support an increase in ultra-low emission electric taxi and private hire operation on local roads

Eighty-eight dedicated taxi and private hire charge points will be installed at key public transport and taxi operation sites across West Yorkshire, thanks to the Combined Authority�s successful bid to the Office for Low Emission Vehicle�s Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) Taxi Scheme.�

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Chair Cllr Keith Wakefield said:

��This funding will enable to the Combined Authority to roll out dedicated charging point infrastructure across West Yorkshire, which is forecast to result in 500 diesel taxis and private hire vehicles being converted to hybrid and pure electric versions by 2020.

�This change would improve Nitrogen Dioxide emissions by as much as 18%, which is in line with the our Strategic Economic Plan�s target of developing Clean Energy and Environmental Resilience for Leeds City Region.�

Several major private hire and taxi firms across West Yorkshire provided letters of support for the Combined Authority�s bid and local councils are encouraging other operators and partners to make the switch to ULEV and collectively help to reduce transport emissions across West Yorkshire.

Improving air quality

West Yorkshire suffers from significant areas of poor air quality and Leeds will be one of five UK cities implementing Clean Air Zones in 2020 that will affect taxi and private hire vehicles operating in Leeds. Last month the Combined Authority Transport Committee endorsed the adoption of the�West Yorkshire Low Emission Strategy�(WYLES) developed jointly with the five West Yorkshire District Councils and Public Health England to reduce harmful emissions from transport and other sources. �

Cllr Wakefield continued:

�This latest development will add to the range of projects the Combined Authority has already carried out to alleviate air pollution and reduce local carbon emissions. ��

�Last year we opened two new rail stations, at Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge with a third open shortly at Low Moor, enabling more people to travel more sustainably. ��

�Elland Road Park and Ride is already taking traffic off Leeds city centre streets and recently we doubled its size to 800 spaces. Another 1000 space Park and Ride is due to open at Temple Green in east Leeds in June. Electric vehicles can be charged at both sites.��

�Thanks to successful bids for DfT funding the Combined Authority�s fleet of yellow school buses has been fitted with clean bus technology and last year our Access Bus fleet also went �green�. And we are working with local bus operators to ensure their vehicles meeting the latest emissions standards through the just launched Bus 18 initiative.��

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