Agenda item

Low Emmission and Electric Licensed Vehicles

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed the report and commented that Haywards Heath Town Council has an Environmental Working Group with a remit to reduce pollution from vehicle emissions.

 

Jon Bryant, Licensing Officer introduced the report which advised the Licensing Committee with the options available to encourage the use of low emission and electric vehicles as licensed vehicles.  The report considered the proposed implementation of incentives to support the uptake of Ultra-Low and Zero Emission vehicles within the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicle fleet.  He noted that air quality in Mid Sussex is generally good and the Government has a long term vision for zero emissions from all new cars and vans by 2040. The Licensing Officer advised that there are three types of zero/low emission vehicles, electric vehicles have a range of up to 150 miles before requiring a recharge, fuel cell vehicles typically have a range to 300 miles and Hybrid / E-REV vehicles with a conventional engine to either act as an additional fuel source or to charge the battery.  He noted the recent policy changes for Mid Sussex Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles, including the 10 year maximum age and white livery and the lack of publicly available charging points.  He highlighted the consultation by West Sussex County Council on a new parking policy to introduce charging point requirement. 

 

Members discussed each of the suggested policies and Tom Clark, Head of Regulatory Services confirmed that it was unlawful to set licence fees based on the emissions of a vehicle. 

 

The Cabinet Member for Service Delivery noted that a masterplan for electric charging points across Mid Sussex was under way and suitable locations for charging points which were being sought might be on private land, i.e. Railway Stations.  He noted that there are six charging points located in Council car parks in the three towns and the locations of additional charging points needed to be carefully considered to ensure adequate lighting and the ability to connect to the power supply. 

 

A number of Members expressed concern introducing a new policy before determining the success of other Low Emission Taxi Incentive Schemes e.g.  Southampton City Council and Eastleigh Borough Council.  They queried how it would work as vehicles only queued at the rank for a short period of time and were constantly moving.   They commented that a change in policy should not be rushed as the technology for zero and low emission cars was still evolving.

 

A Member showed concern over the additional costs to licence holders of installation of charging points at their homes following the recent policy changes on age and colour of licenced vehicles.  He noted that these policy changes had increased public safety.  He queried if the issue of additional licences could be restricted to disability vehicles only to increase the number in the fleet.  

 

A number of Members commented that the trade association would need to be consulted before any policy changes and as there was currently no unmet demand the licence holders might experience a reduced income if additional licences were issued.

 

The Licensing Officer confirmed that there was no unmet demand and there was a waiting list for licences.  As the cost to buy a licenced hackney plated vehicle is approximately £15,000, using an incentive could be a possible way for new drivers to enter the market.  He noted that the potential up take of the incentive was unknown.  Yvonne Leddy, Business Unit Leader for Building Control and Environmental Health   confirmed that the cost of an electric London style vehicle was around £50,000 (wheelchair accessible) and a Nissan Dynamo around £42,000.  As there were relatively new she was not aware that there were currently available on the second hand market.

 

A Member commented that it was a good idea and could reduce pollution levels.  She queried whether the Council could subsidise the cost of installing charging points in the licence holders’ homes but identified that a funding source would have to be identified.

 

A Member asked whether existing licence holders should display the level of emission on their vehicle.

 

The Cabinet Member for Service Delivery noted that the Council had abandoned their fleet of electric cars due to poor reliability. He questioned if the Council could insist on licensing Euro 6 rated cars only and the policy could provide an incentive to change to cleaner and more efficient vehicles. 

 

The Cabinet Member for Community noted that the introduction of the 10 year age policy had led to reduced pollution and the industry might be adverse to changes that would impact on their income.  He advised that the introduction of lower emission, more efficient and quieter vehicles was a good idea. A revised report should be considered once technology had advanced and issues raised by Members had been addressed next year.

 

RESOLVED

 

The Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed to review the report once further investigation had been completed.

 

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