Taxi manufacturer LEVC ‘disappointed’ at Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone delay
- Perry Richardson
- May 8
- 2 min read
LEVC has voiced concern over the delay in Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) implementation. The vehicle manufacturer said the move will extend the presence of older, higher-emission taxis on city streets and hold back efforts to lower urban pollution.
The Clean Air Zone was expected to encourage the shift towards cleaner, wheelchair-accessible taxis. LEVC, which builds the TX electric taxi, had committed £3 million in additional support to assist Greater Manchester drivers with the transition. The firm said it still hopes the scheme will begin by the end of 2025.
Manchester City Council has recently decided to extend the operational age limit of licensed vehicles to 17 years. LEVC said this decision compounds the delay’s impact by keeping more polluting vehicles in service longer.
The manufacturer highlighted that over 1,000 hackney carriage taxis in Manchester currently fall short of clean air standards. These could be replaced with the TX model, which meets local licensing requirements and offers zero-exhaust emission capability.
Chris Allen, LEVC Managing Director, said: “LEVC has proudly supported the UK’s iconic taxi trade since 1908—evolving in name and technology but never wavering in its commitment to drivers and the industry. Together, we've led the way in innovation and service, helping to shape a cleaner, more sustainable future for urban transport.
“Since the launch of TX in 2018, we have built strong partnerships with licensing authorities across the UK, contributing to rapidly developing discussions and initiatives around clean air and sustainability, sharing our expertise and experience in this field. Throughout, we have remained focused on ensuring that the needs and interests of drivers are central to every conversation.
“We are disappointed to learn that the Combined Authority for Greater Manchester has delayed the implementation of its Clean Air plans - plans that would have supported drivers in transitioning to cleaner, wheelchair-accessible taxis. As an investor-led initiative, LEVC has sought to support the council’s plans, committing an additional £3 million to boost funding for drivers across Greater Manchester and we remain hopeful this important scheme will launch by the end of 2025.
“After many months of consultation, this delay prolongs the risk of poorer air quality in the region and unnecessarily keeps older, more polluting taxis and private hire vehicles on the road. This is further compounded by Manchester City Council’s recent decision to extend the vehicle age limit to 17 years. Manchester is a thriving city with a fleet of over 1,000 “non-compliant hackney vehicles”, all of which could be replaced with the modern TX – the only purpose-built taxi designed to fully meet the Manchester Conditions of Fitness. LEVC’s zero-exhaust emission capable taxi is a proven technology that has already prevented more than 300,000,000 kilograms of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere, with over 11,000 units sold across global markets.
“We understand the challenges drivers face when transitioning to more sustainable transport and remain committed to working collaboratively with councils in Manchester - and cities across the UK - to deliver safe, accessible, and future-ready mobility for all.”
