Issue - meetings

Motion by Councillor Ross – Hire Trade Age Policy

“Committee notes:

1.    The previous representations it has received from representatives of the taxi and private hire car trades concerning the high demand for, and low supply of, second-hand Euro 6 standard taxis and the high cost of new and second-hand electric vehicles.

2.    There were 259 Euro 5 taxis and 268 Euro 5 PHCs in Edinburgh, representing respectively 20% and 13% of the total numbers, along with 761 Euro 6 taxis and 1,227 Euro 6 PHCs, representing respectively 60% and 59%, as recorded in the report presented to committee in November 2022.

3.    Euro 5 taxis, that have been retrofitted via a Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) approved by the Energy Saving Trust, will be able to enter Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone without penalty when enforcement starts on 1 June 2024, as outlined in the Business Bulletin presented to committee in February 2023.

4.    Euro 6 vehicles will start being impacted by the 10-year age limitation in 2024.

5.    There are a number of issues, in addition to those listed above, which are likely to have an impact on the number of taxis and PHCs in the next few years, such as the availability of vehicles capable of carrying wheelchair passengers.

Committee therefore agrees:

6.    For the temporary period only from 1 May 2023 to 30April 2024 inclusive (“the relevant period”), to amend standard condition 256 of the Council’s standard conditions for the holders of existing taxi licences to permit the use of Euro 6 vehicles, and CVRAS retrofitted Euro 5 vehicles, less than 15 years old to be licensed as taxis. Accordingly, such a licensed vehicle submitted for test during the relevant period in respect of renewal of a taxi licence prior to the 14th anniversary of its registration may continue to operate as a taxi.

7.    For the temporary period only from 1 May 2023 to 30April 2024 inclusive, (“the relevant period”) to amend standard condition 303 of the Council’s standard conditions for existing PHC licences to permit the use of Euro 6 vehicles, less than 15 years old to be licensed as private hire cars (PHCs). Accordingly, a licensed vehicle submitted for test during the relevant period in respect of renewal of a PHC licence prior to the 14th anniversary of its registration may continue to operate as a PHC.

8.    That there will be no change to the requirement to meet the relevant Euro Standard, nothwithstanding the temporary amendment to conditions outlined above.

9.    To ask officers to engage with the hire car trade to discuss these issues along with possible solutions and any possible licensing responses and to bring a report to committee in four cycles.

10. To ask the Convener to write to the Scottish Government to seek engagement on vehicle age and emission issues as they apply to the hire car trade.”

The following motion by Councillor … was submitted in terms of Standing Order 16:

Decision

To