Birmingham LPG taxi project gets under way, aims to improve air quality
Sun 08 May 2016
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A project to convert 63 diesel-powered black cabs in Birmingham to run on petrol engines using LPG has begun with the fitting of new engines to five vehicles. The project is a partnership between engine manufacturer KMS, Birmingham City Council and LPG supplier Autogas. The project is a part of Birmingham's NOx Reduction Champions project.
As a result of the engine conversion, Birmingham City Council says that the vehicles will be compliant with 'Euro 6' – the standard at which all vehicles within the scope of the city’s government-mandated Clean Air Zone will be exempt from any charges.
Linda Gomersall, general manager of Autogas, said (reported by Air Quality News): “Autogas Ltd is delighted to be working alongside Birmingham City Council as part of their ‘Birmingham NOx Reduction Champions’ project in retrofitting their taxi fleet to run on LPG.
“With an increase in levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide that are harmful to human health, it remains imperative that these air quality issues are addressed in Birmingham and across the UK.
Autogas said that the cost of repowering an existing diesel powered taxi to LPG costs approximately £8,000 and drivers are said to recoup the cost of conversion in less than two years.
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