FROM HORSE CARTS TO ELECTRIC: Oldest taxi business still driving change after 145 years
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
One of the UK’s longest-established taxi operators is investing in electric vehicle infrastructure as it adapts to the operational and cost pressures facing modern fleets. Whiteside Taxis, based in Latham St Annes, has installed a 60kW rapid charger at its base, supporting its growing electric and plug-in hybrid fleet while also making the facility available for public use.
The business traces its origins back to 1880, when it began operating horse-drawn Handsome Cabs. Now trading under the Whiteside name, the operator is positioning itself for a future shaped by electrification, tightening emissions expectations and rising fuel costs across the licensed taxi sector.
The charger installation forms part of Whiteside’s broader sustainability strategy, aimed at reducing fleet emissions while maintaining vehicle availability. On-site charging allows vehicles to be turned around more quickly between jobs, reducing reliance on public infrastructure and minimising downtime for drivers.
The charging station was delivered by Greenway Power Group through a partnership model developed with Patons Group. Under the arrangement, charging equipment is installed at taxi bases with no upfront capital cost, provided the site has adequate power capacity and is either owned outright or secured by a protected business lease of at least six years.
Whiteside Taxis marks 145 years in operation by installing its own rapid EV charging infrastructure as part of a wider fleet transition
Whiteside has entered into a five-year agreement under which Greenway Power Group applies a surcharge to the base electricity supply. According to the partners, the surcharge is structured so that charging costs are designed to be equal to or lower than those offered by local public rapid charging networks, providing operators with greater cost certainty.
The model is targeted at bases that already operate a minimum of three electric taxis and can demonstrate a commitment to expanding their EV fleet. Greenway typically installs a dual-gun charger, though specifications may vary depending on site constraints and grid capacity.
For operators such as Whiteside, owning charging infrastructure is also a hedge against future policy and fiscal changes. Despite ongoing concerns around battery range and charging availability, recent Budget changes that will see electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles taxed on a per-mile basis have increased the focus on long-term operating costs and strategic fleet planning.
By installing chargers now, Whiteside aims to retain greater control over energy costs and fleet utilisation as the transition away from internal combustion vehicles accelerates. The move reflects a growing trend among established taxi bases to invest directly in charging assets rather than relying solely on public infrastructure.
Whiteside manager Stuart Miller said: “The future of the taxi trade, and motoring in general, is going to be EVs. There is still a way to go with battery range and the charging infrastructure, but we wanted to make sure we are ready for that change.
“It won’t happen overnight, but as the EV fleet builds up, it’s cheaper for our drivers to charge here than at a public charging station where they might have to queue for a charger, which means they are losing business. We’re getting them into the habit that whenever they come back to the base, even if it’s 10 to 20 minutes between jobs, they plug in and charge because that extra charge can make all the difference to their working day.
“We’ve had a good response from our drivers because it means they can do all their local work without having to stop somewhere for 45 minutes to an hour, causing inconvenience to customers, and know exactly what it is going to cost.”
Stuart added: “We have to think about sustainability and the emissions we produce, and it also matters to our customers who are trying to do their bit for the environment. We are encouraging sustainable transport through our vehicles, as well as making it easier for them to switch.
“This is one of the reasons that we decided to make the chargers available to the public. It creates a revenue stream for us and gives them another option for charging. It’s free parking while they are charging, so they can do a bit of shopping or get something to eat, instead of having to wait in the car.
“We are one of the few taxi companies, probably the only one on the Fylde Coast, with our own chargers, which means we are already reducing emissions and can plan changes to our fleet without panicking and having to rush to make decisions.
“Operators and drivers have important decisions to make with ICE and hybrid changes coming up, but this gives them another option and takes away some of the worry about where they can charge their taxis when the make the switch.”
A GPG spokesman said: “We are delighted to have had this opportunity to work with such a forward-looking company as Whiteside Taxis. The provision of an on-site, state of the art, dual-gun fast charger will enable Whiteside to expand their electric fleet whilst avoiding the prevalent concerns over the availability and reliability of the public charging network, which is obviously a major source of concern for those businesses looking to become greener.
“At the same time, it permits companies such as Whiteside to create an alternative income stream should they wish to allow public access to the charger. Whilst some upgrading to the onsite power supply was needed, the cost of supplying and installing the charger is met by Greenway Power Group as part of its business model, thus freeing up capital for the taxi business to use for other purposes. We look forward to working with Whiteside and similar-minded businesses in the future.”
