Northampton Borough Council unveils emission reduction plans designed to drastically reduce cut pollution, as studies suggest up to 5% of deaths in the town are due to air pollutants caused by nitrogen dioxide (N0x).
Emission Reduction Plans Target Taxi & PHVs
The council strategy targets Northampton’s 850 fleet of taxis and PHVs although the council wants them to be part of the solution. The council has already set out plans for new emission standards for taxis, meaning diesel cars older than 2014 will not be given licences from December 2025 and full electrification by 2030. Northampton Private Hire Association are concerned that drivers who have recently invested in a vehicle will be “kicked into the dirt” due to the plans. They also expressed concerns that Government policy has flip-flopped from diesel to electrification and no one can be certain that it won’t move back again. The council also consider that action needs to be taken as taxis operate where air pollution is greatest and make a contribution to pollution levels through idling at ranks.
Diesel cars older than 2014 will not be given licences from December 2025.
Investment Needed but Options are Available
There are plans to follow other major towns and cities by implementing a Clean Air Zone where high-emission vehicle could be subject to fines. In the present market, there is ready availability of EU6 compliant purpose-built and standard car stock on the market. In addition, new and nearly new hybrid models are becoming increasingly accessible to many drivers. The Northampton plans may set out a longer term vision that needs to be worked out, but drivers nationwide are likely to face calls to upgrade to newer, environmentally-friendly vehicles across all council areas.