A second group of taxi drivers want to put the brakes on the green revolution of electric-powered cabs proposed for Dundee’s streets.
Chris Elder of the Unite union has lodged an objection against the granting of 10 taxi licences to 203020 Electric.
“There’s a cap on the city’s hackney plates and a survey shows that there is no unmet demand in our city,” he stated.
Unite follows the Dundee Taxi Association, which wants to protect the existing level of taxis.
Chairman Graeme Stephen also said the green revolution will not work unless petrol and diesel-powered taxis are removed to make way for the electric cabs.
As we reported, David Young, of 203020 Electric, wants to bring 30 electric taxis to Dundee streets in three lots of 10, and is making his case for the first wave to the licensing committee on Thursday.
The £500,000 investment in Nissan Leaf Acentas is for business reasons as well as to tackle the serious air pollution problem in the city.
His move has been backed by Dundee University and environment group Urban Foresight, whose director described it as “globally significant.”
Mr Young has said that he will put the vehicles on the road as private hire cars if his taxis bid is unsuccessful but taxi licences are his preferred option.Pioneer saving £60 a week in fuelWhat is believed to be Scotland’s first electric private hire car is already running in Dundee and city-based battery maker Johnson Matthey has extended its support for the vehicle.
The company will sponsor the Nissan Leaf of father and son Peter and Nikki Fraser for a further year.
The Frasers’ motor went on the road last September with the help of funding from the Energy Saving Trust Scotland and the UK Government’s Plug-in Car Grant.
Peter Fraser said economic and environmental factors dictated the move, and he added: “We’re delighted with the results the Nissan Leaf is saving us up to £60 per week in fuel compared to the vehicle it has replaced.”