Newcastle-under-Lyme Council Considers Phasing Out Petrol Taxis

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is evaluating a new licensing policy for taxis and private hire vehicles. This policy, if adopted, would initiate the phasing out of petrol taxis within the next three years and establish a 10-year timeline for transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. The proposed changes involve shifting the vehicle licensing policy from its current age-based criteria to a system that prioritizes emissions and engine type. Prior to final approval by the council, the policy is slated for a 12-week consultation period involving the taxi industry and other relevant parties. Licensing officer Matt Burton explained the current regulations: “Currently, we have a policy that says that all vehicles have to be less than seven years old when they’re first licensed, and after 10 years they have more frequent testing.” He further stated the intention behind the new policy: “What we’re looking to do is move away from an age policy altogether, and as suggested in the best practice guidance, move towards an emissions and fuel type criteria.” Should the new policy receive approval, the initial modification would occur in April, at which point the council would cease licensing vehicles that solely comply with the Euro 4 emissions standard. This particular change is expected to impact only three taxis within the borough. Furthermore, during the 2025-26 period, the council would process renewal applications for Euro 5 vehicles for the last occasion. Beginning in April 2027, the issuance of licenses for new vehicles operating on petrol, diesel, or LPG would cease. Subsequently, from 2030, no vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines would be licensed. By 2035, the council intends to discontinue granting licenses for hybrid vehicles, thereby mandating that all taxis must possess zero tailpipe emissions. A further proposed alteration involves prohibiting private hire vehicles from exhibiting door livery that displays the operator’s name. This measure aims to avert confusion between private hire vehicles and Hackney carriages. Nevertheless, apprehensions emerged regarding the potential difficulty for some individuals to identify their pre-booked private hire vehicles. Mr Burton confirmed that the council had taken this concern into consideration.