Glasgow taxi drivers face latest retrofit setback as LPG firm is handed to liquidators
Glasgow taxi drivers looking to retrofit their vehicle to LPG fuel to meet strict emissions standards set by Glasgow City Council, have been hit by a fresh roadblock as the installation company is handed to liquidators.
According to an email sent to Glasgow taxi drivers aiming to retrofit their vehicles to LPG fuel, the company responsible for the installations, Vehicle Repowering Solutions LTD (VRS), has entered liquidation, halting all further installations.
In the communication sent to affected drivers, the Energy Saving Trust confirmed that VRS would no longer provide CVRAS-approved retrofit solutions. Drivers who received grants under the Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund for LPG conversions are now unable to proceed with VRS installations.
Drivers have been advised to consider alternative retrofit options. The Energy Saving Trust has suggested switching to an exhaust abatement system for eligible vehicles. To proceed with this option, drivers must submit a quote by 25 August 2024, or their grant offer will expire.
Glasgow’s LEZ enforcement began on 1 June 2023, with a time-limited exemption granted to non-compliant taxi operators, allowing them until 31 May 2024 to meet the new standards. This exemption aimed to provide operators with additional time to comply with the city’s strict emission regulations.
To help operators meet these requirements, the council offered an extension on the exemption period for certain cases, such as operators with a pending grant award or those awaiting delivery of an LEZ-compliant vehicle.
An Energy Saving Trust spokesperson told TaxiPoint: “On 24 July 2024, Vehicle Repowering Solutions ltd, notified Energy Saving Trust, that they had handed the business over to liquidators. Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund grantees affected by closure were then contacted by Energy Saving Trust, as instructed by Transport Scotland and advised on options including to contact the liquidator where applicable.”
