First electric taxi licensed in Cannock Chase

The electric car revolution has arrived in Cannock Chase, as the local council has granted its first license for an electric taxi.

Leigh Andrews (pictured), who lives in Cannock and works with AJ 's Taxis in Rugeley is the first person to license an electric vehicle for use as a taxi by Cannock Chase Council.

Mr Andrews has set up a dedicated Facebook page about the vehicle so that customers can book the vehicle in advance.

In common with many other local authorities in the country, the council is examining how to tackle the many current and future challenges of the environment.

A motion was approved at council in July 2019, which declared a Climate Emergency and committed the council to a vision of Carbon Neutrality by 2030, encouraging the transition to net zero carbon emissions in the decades to come.

Councillor Josh Newbury, portfolio leader for Environment and Climate Change said “Studies have shown that over the lifetime of a vehicle, electric vehicles are responsible for considerably lower emissions than conventional vehicles, especially as Britain is managing to decarbonise the electricity supply system at a rapid rate.

“Poor air quality is known to have a serious impact on public health and is responsible for 23,500 premature deaths per year in the UK. ”

Cannock Chase District currently has three 'air quality management areas ' where levels of nitrogen dioxide from vehicle exhausts are higher than national standards.

The council has said it is currently looking for ways to work with partners to make improvements.

Councillor Christine Martin, portfolio leader for Health and Wellbeing said “Cannock Chase Council will now encourage drivers to move towards the use of electric vehicles (EVs), where possible, in preference to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.

“We will shortly be consulting with taxi drivers and other interested parties on attitudes towards new vehicle technology and how the provision of charging points and costs etc. can help overcome obstacles to EV take up “.