Dundee Taxi Rentals is one of the private industry operators that has been instrumental in continuing the efforts to decarbonise transport systems in Dundee. The city and its adoption of Electric Vehicle systems and infrastructure has been considered as a shining example for other UK and European cities to emulate. Dundee Taxi Rentals has invested in 13 Battery Electric Vehicles for its fleet and the FASTER Project team recently caught up with Ryan Todd, owner to discuss his thoughts and experience.
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What has been your role in the vehicle electrification process?
As the owner of Dundee Taxi Rentals I have been involved in all aspects of the vehicle electrification process from the procurement of vehicles to securing funding, completing grant applications and overseeing the installation of chargers.
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What factors encouraged Dundee Taxi Rentals use of Electric Vehicles?
There were a number of motivating factors including life cycle cost analysis and local licensing.
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What challenges (if any) has Dundee Taxi Rentals faced with the introduction of the Electric Vehicles to your fleet?
Public and private infrastructure is lacking, while the cost and selection of vehicles is prohibitive.
‘Public opinion and reality are still miles apart with most underestimating the capability of current generation vehicles.’
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How did you engage with stakeholders as part of the vehicle electrification process?
Promoting change among drivers and encouraging them to think differently about the top and bottom lines and many had never considered the fuel cost savings to be significant. This applies to date, but the costs of charging are rapidly increasing.
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Has the vehicle electrification programme met your expectations?
This is a complex question. In many ways yes, but it is a constantly changing landscape. I would consider that 2021 was the tipping point in mass electric vehicle uptake and so subsidies for EV purchase and charging are rapidly disappearing. The commercial users who heavily promoted electrification over the past few years are being forgotten about and there is no regard for our future, eg higher tarriffs for rapid charger usage.
‘Dundee Taxi Rentals provides discounted charging rates at company owned chargers and has installed chargers at drivers homes where possible’
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What advice would you offer other organisations considering adding Electric Vehicles to their fleets?
Home and in house charging requirements need close consideration.
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Are there any supports that governments could offer to further increase industrial or public use of Electric Vehicles?
Yes, dedicated commercial user hubs and providing public fast chargers in as many residential areas as possible.
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Does Dundee Taxi Rentals have any plans for further investment in the area of vehicle electrification and are there any further comments you wish to add?
We do have plans for further investment. It has been been a good journey so far having first hand experienced the progression in vehicles over the last 7 years. Public opinion and reality are still miles apart with most underestimating the capability of current generation vehicles. As much as Electric Vehicles have lower maintenance costs, extreme and rare situations of battery replacement do happen. On a fleet scale this can rapidly wipe out any cost savings. (£16k average replacement cost)