Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Environmental Health Manager.

In response to Members’ questions the Environmental Health Manager and Team Manager, Communities said the following:

i.               In 2016 this Committee took a commitment to ask Officers to investigate what was needed to make a commitment to net zero. That research took place for 2 years.

ii.             A report was brought to Committee in 2018 and the new policy was implemented in 2020. This was phased in over 2 years.

iii.            From 2020 vehicles that were coming to their age limit, had to be replaced by a plug-in hybrid or an EV. Any vehicles within the existing age limit could remain on the fleet.

iv.           The age limit was extended from 9 years to 12 and 15 years for ultra-low and EV’s.

v.             Drivers had the lifespan of their vehicle to make the change to make a business decision.

vi.           The Council's aspiration was for all vehicles to be ultra-low or EV by 2028.  Considering it for wheelchair-accessible vehicles as well however market does not yet make this feasible. Therefore, were focusing on saloon vehicles.

vii.          If current vehicles live out their current lifespan, there would still be a few vehicles on the fleet not conforming to new standards by 2028.

viii.        Drivers would not be forced to change their vehicles earlier than they thought they would have.

ix.           There were approximately 500 licensed taxis operating within Cambridge City. There were approximately 1400 taxis registered with South Cambridgeshire.

x.             Cambridge City Council had installed 18 EV charging points.

xi.           Currently most South Cambridgeshire vehicles were not EV.

xii.          Utilization of EV charging point network was still low. The most used site was used about 15% of the time. On average the network was used about 5% of the time.

xiii.        There were currently 60 EV apart of the fleet.

xiv.        It was economically advantageous to charge at home as the cost was lower.

xv.         A feasibility study was carried out with the Energy Saving Trust which looked at the location, number of charge points needed and the behaviour of taxi drivers. Drivers were consulted with in 2016 regarding EV charging point locations. That information had been brought to the Committee before policy went into effect in 2018.

xvi.        The taxi trade was a business and need to operate as economically as possible however as a Council were committed to tackling climate change and net zero.

xvii.      22% of Cambridge City taxis were ultra-low or EV.

xviii.     Planning to pursue a restriction on city centre access for non-electric and ultra-low emission vehicles.

xix.        There were fourteen hybrid vehicles and nineteen petrol or diesel vehicles whose life span would end within the stated timeframe.

Councillor Hossain made the following comments:

i.               Charging points quality was not sufficient. Too slow to charge vehicles.

ii.             The cost needed to be looked at.

iii.            Drivers who could not charge EV at home were at a disadvantage, needed to have higher quality charging points provided.

The Committee:

 Resolved by 6 votes to 1 to endorse the recommendations:

i)              Confirmed the decision made on 29th January 2024 and remove the inclusion of standard hybrids within the policy with emissions of less than 120g/km of CO2 with effect of 30th June 2024.

ii)             Noted that 14 standard hybrid vehicles are affected by the policy from 1 July to 30 June 2026 – the date the trade have suggested to delay implementation.

iii)           Agreed the Environmental Considerations part of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as attached to this report as Appendix A.