Newcastle-under-Lyme City Council proposes phasing out petrol taxis

If proposed new rules are approved, the council will begin phasing out petrol taxis in less than three years.

A new taxi and private hire licensing policy being considered by Newcastle-under-Lyme City Council includes a timetable for a switch to zero-emission vehicles within the next 10 years.

The changes include moving from an age-based vehicle licensing policy to one based on emissions and engine type.

The policy will be sent for a 12-week consultation with the taxi industry and other stakeholders before being sent to the council for final approval.

Licensing officer Matt Burton said: “We currently have a policy that all vehicles must be under seven years old when they are first licensed, with more frequent testing after 10 years.”

“What we plan to do is move away from the age policy altogether and move towards emissions and fuel type criteria as recommended in the best practice guidance.”

If the new policy is approved, the first change will come in April when the council will stop licensing vehicles that only meet the Euro 4 emissions standard, although this will only affect three taxis in the borough.

The council will accept renewal applications for Euro 5 vehicles for the last time in 2025-26.

New vehicles powered by gasoline, diesel or LPG will not be licensed as of April 2027, and internal combustion engine vehicles will not be licensed as of 2030.

In 2035 the council will stop licensing hybrid vehicles; This means all taxis must have zero tailpipe emissions.

Another proposed change is to ban private hire cars from displaying the door livery showing the operator’s name, to avoid confusion between private hire cars and Hackney cars.

However, concerns have been raised that it could make it difficult for some people to identify the private hire vehicles they have booked.

Mr Burton added this was being considered by the council.