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ITS NOT TOO LATE: TX4 taxis can still undergo Euro 6 conversion after turning 12, HJS says
HJS Emission Technology has moved to address confusion among London taxi drivers over the deadline for converting Euro 5 TX4 taxis to Euro 6 emissions standards.
The company said the approved SCRT retrofit does not have to be installed before a vehicle reaches the standard 12-year age limit applying to unconverted Euro 5 diesel taxis.
“Your TX4 doesn’t have to be converted before it reaches 12 years old,” HJS told TaxiPoint. “Drivers can still complete the conversion after their TX4 has reached 12 years old, provided the vehicle meets the relevant TfL requirements.”
Transport for London (TfL) approved the HJS exhaust retrofit following two independent emissions tests and a 10,000-mile durability trial designed to replicate a typical London taxi duty cycle. TfL subsequently confirmed that a London-licensed Euro 5 TX4 fitted with the system and delivering Euro 6 emissions would be eligible to remain licensed until it reaches a maximum age of 15.
For some cabbies the retrofit offers a lifeline to staying in the trade as the maximum operating age for an unconverted Euro 3, Euro 4 or Euro 5 diesel taxi is 12 years. Euro 6, zero-emission-capable and newly converted LPG taxis are permitted to remain licensed until the age of 15.
HJS said reaching 12 years old does not automatically remove an eligible TX4 from the conversion route. A spokesperson said: “There is still some confusion among London taxi drivers about when a TX4 must undergo the approved SCRT® retrofit to continue operating in the capital. One of the most common misconceptions is that the conversion must be completed before the vehicle reaches 12 years old.
“That is not the case. The HJS retrofit provides eligible Euro 5 TX4 taxis with the opportunity to meet the required emissions standard and continue operating for an additional three years, bringing the vehicle’s maximum permitted age back in line with Euro 6 vehicles.
“Importantly, drivers can still complete the conversion after their TX4 has reached 12 years old, provided the vehicle meets the relevant TfL requirements. The conversion does not have to be carried out before the vehicle reaches its 12-year age limit.
“This gives TX4 owners greater flexibility when deciding when to invest in the retrofit. Rather than assuming that the opportunity has been missed once the taxi turns 12, drivers should check their vehicle’s eligibility and the current TfL requirements.
“For drivers who have delayed their decision, turning 12 does not automatically mean that your TX4 has missed its opportunity to be converted.
“The HJS SCRT® retrofit has been developed specifically to provide a route for eligible Euro 5 TX4 taxis to meet the required emissions standards, helping owners extend the working life of their vehicles rather than having to replace them immediately.
“With the cost of replacing a TX4 with a newer Euro 6 taxi potentially significant, the retrofit can provide an alternative for eligible owners looking to keep their existing vehicle on the road for longer.
”If you own a Euro 5 TX4 that has already reached 12 years old, don’t assume that conversion is no longer possible. Check your eligibility and find out whether the SCRT® retrofit could allow you to continue operating your taxi in London.”
