Electric taxi chargepoint enforcement concerns after minicab reported THREE TIMES for misuse
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 28, 2021
- 2 min read
London electric taxi chargepoint facilities are in the spotlight once again after a private hire vehicle was found to have been reported THREE TIMES for continuing to illegally use the taxi specific bay.
Licensed taxi drivers have questioned the perceived lack of enforcement and why new chargepoint technology, now available to the private hire firm Uber, has not been made available to the black cab industry.
Electric cab drivers are calling for dedicated and protected card enabled access chargepoints, similar to that provided to Uber partner-drivers, following the opening of the UK’s first rapid charging hub for fleet vehicles.
The hot topic of taxi-dedicated Rapid Charge Point (RCP) misuse was discussed during the week at a senior taxi trade representatives meeting with the Deputy Mayor for Transport Heidi Alexander on Thursday 24 June.
Transport for London (TfL) are currently speaking with the chargepoint operators to explore technological solutions to prevent the misuse of taxi-dedicated rapid charging points.
TfL also continues to issue regular communications to all taxi and private hire licensees making clear that taxi-dedicated rapid charge points can only be used by ZEC taxis and how to report the misuse of them.
According to TfL sources, the owner of the vehicle who has been reported three times for RCP misuse has been written to.
A TfL spokesperson told TaxiPoint: “We are aware of concerns about the use of taxi-dedicated rapid charge points by other vehicles and have increased visits by officers to charging bays.
“We will also continue to communicate with all licensees to make it clear taxi-dedicated rapid charge points must not be used by non-taxis and their misuse could result in a Penalty Charge Notice.
“We have written to the registered keeper of this vehicle to reiterate that they are not permitted to use taxi-dedicated charge point bays.”
