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Q&A with HJS Emission Technology: Could retrofitting keep more TX4 taxis on London’s roads while drivers await the next LEVC cab?
HJS Emission Technology (HJS) says it has completed 100 installations of its Euro 5 to Euro 6 retrofit system on London TX4 taxis. The milestone comes as owners weigh the cost of replacing older cabs against extending the working life of vehicles they already operate.
In this Q&A with TaxiPoint, HJS discusses demand for the upgrade, its potential to help retain black cabs in London’s fleet while the trade awaits a successor to the current LEVC TX, and the factors owners should consider before choosing between retrofit and replacement.
HJS has completed 100 Euro 5 to Euro 6 TX4 retrofit installations. What does reaching this milestone tell you about demand from taxi owners?
“Reaching 100 successful installations demonstrates that there is a clear demand among TX4 owners for an alternative to replacing their existing taxi.
“For many drivers, their TX4 is still a reliable, valuable vehicle and they simply want the opportunity to keep it working for longer. What we’re hearing from customers is that the retrofit gives them another choice. Rather than facing the significant cost of replacing their cab, eligible owners can upgrade from Euro 5 to Euro 6 and potentially benefit from the 15 year age limit.
“The 100 installation milestone is particularly encouraging because awareness of the retrofit option is still growing. It gives other TX4 owners reassurance that this isn’t an untested concept and there are now 100 successfully upgraded taxis out there operating with the HJS system.
“Ultimately, drivers are telling us they don’t necessarily want a new cab, they want to keep a cab they know and trust on the road.”
With production of the current LEVC TX ending and its replacement not expected until the end of 2027, how much could retrofitting contribute to maintaining London’s black cab supply?
“Retrofit certainly has the potential to make a meaningful contribution. We have already retrofitted 100 TX4s and there are still around 1000 Euro 5 TX4s that will reach the 12 years age limit from now until November 2027, so the contribution of retrofitting could potentially be significant. It won’t be the answer for everyone, but every eligible TX4 that can be upgraded and kept working is another taxi that doesn’t necessarily have to leave London’s fleet during this transition period.
“The important point is that this is a solution available now. An eligible Euro 5 TX4 fitted with the TfL approved HJS system could provide an owner with up to three additional years of operation.
“If more eligible owners choose this route, it could help retain a number of serviceable taxis while the trade waits for the next generation of vehicles to become available.
“We see retrofit as part of the solution, it gives suitable TX4 owners another choice, helps preserve existing vehicles within the licensed fleet and, importantly, does so while improving their emissions performance.”
What advice would HJS give to a TX4 owner weighing the cost of a retrofit against replacing their vehicle?
“We would encourage every TX4 owner to look carefully at their individual circumstances. If you have a well maintained TX4 that you know and trust, it is certainly worth considering whether upgrading it represents better value than replacing it.
“The decision shouldn’t just be about the upfront cost of the retrofit. Owners should consider the condition and maintenance history of their existing cab, the potential additional working life available following the Euro 6 upgrade, and then compare that with the overall financial commitment involved in purchasing a replacement vehicle.
“For many of the drivers we’ve spoken to, there is also reassurance in keeping a vehicle they already know. They know its history, how it has been maintained and what they can expect from it.
“Our advice is simply to look at all the options before assuming replacement is the only route. We’re happy to talk owners through the retrofit, check whether their TX4 is eligible and explain the costs involved so they can make an informed decision that is right for them.”
