Originally posted by the Used Cars & New Cars for Sale | Car Specials | Car Reviews | drive.com.au
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London Black Cabs 'May Disappear'
AAP 13 April 2007
One of London's icons - the black cab - may be on the way out because of strict new car emissions laws issued by the European Union.
First it was the slow disappearance of red telephone booths, now one of London's icons - the black cab - may also be on the way out. For Australian visitors, no trip to London is complete without the novelty of a clean, roomy cab piloted by a driver who knows where he is going.
But, perhaps not for much longer.
London Taxis International, the manufacturer of the black cabs, say strict new car emissions laws issued by the European Union could be the death knell for the vehicles.
The company has begun developing a hybrid, low-emission engine to meet the green laws, but says that without government funding, the project will not succeed. Plus the EU is also set to scrap the classing of the cabs as heavy vehicles, which had allowed a higher level of emissions.
"We do not want to be alarmist in talking about the death of the London taxi, but it is becoming more and more difficult," LTI sales and marketing director Matthew Cheney said in the Evening Standard newspaper. "Measures such as the derogation (on heavy vehicles) help us stay alive but if they are taken away you could see us go. Without LTI vehicles ... Britain will lose its purpose-built taxi market."
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Good riddance!
Now bring on the Mercedes E220 CDI.
___________________________
London Black Cabs 'May Disappear'
AAP 13 April 2007
One of London's icons - the black cab - may be on the way out because of strict new car emissions laws issued by the European Union.
First it was the slow disappearance of red telephone booths, now one of London's icons - the black cab - may also be on the way out. For Australian visitors, no trip to London is complete without the novelty of a clean, roomy cab piloted by a driver who knows where he is going.
But, perhaps not for much longer.
London Taxis International, the manufacturer of the black cabs, say strict new car emissions laws issued by the European Union could be the death knell for the vehicles.
The company has begun developing a hybrid, low-emission engine to meet the green laws, but says that without government funding, the project will not succeed. Plus the EU is also set to scrap the classing of the cabs as heavy vehicles, which had allowed a higher level of emissions.
"We do not want to be alarmist in talking about the death of the London taxi, but it is becoming more and more difficult," LTI sales and marketing director Matthew Cheney said in the Evening Standard newspaper. "Measures such as the derogation (on heavy vehicles) help us stay alive but if they are taken away you could see us go. Without LTI vehicles ... Britain will lose its purpose-built taxi market."
______________________________
Good riddance!
Now bring on the Mercedes E220 CDI.
