New emission standards for Hackney taxis were ratified by the Council in early 2019 and see Hackney taxis adopting a phased approach to zero-emission capable vehicles between 2020 and 2025, with 50 Vehicle License owners having to replace their Hackneys in 2020. From 2025, all Oxford Hackney Carriages will be required to be capable of Zero Emission Driving in line with the government’s Ultra Low Emission Taxi definition (ULEV).

89% of surveyed Oxford Hackney Carriage operators said in a 2018 CENEX study that a try-before-you-buy scheme was likely or very likely to incentivise them to acquire an electric taxi. Trials in other local authorities have shown that Trial B4 you Buy schemes help operators and drivers to develop trust in the technology and corresponding business models.

The rental service and corresponding increased uptake of ULEV taxis is projected to improve utilisation and thus return of investment of the OLEV funded Taxi Rapid charge points, 4 of which have been installed in New Manzil way, with an additional 15 expected to be installed over the coming year.  Also anticipated are utilization benefits of the super rapid hub planned under the Energy Superhub Oxford project in Redbridge Park and Ride.