It’s fair to say that while 2025 is turning out to be a global rollercoaster ride for most of the planet, it’s business as usual at Transport for London. Yes, the London regulator continues to dish up the same diet of chaos and incompetence as it has for years.
and asking for powers to “tackle cross-border hires” – without specifying why, or what it sees the problem to be.
“
Bursa London remains the only capital city in Europe that does not receive proper, regular central government funding for its transport networks ”
Hundreds of drivers unable to work because TfL’s new computer system has crashed, forcing the regulator to apologise and issue temporary licenses to drivers caught in the snarl-up.
At the same time, TfL was preparing a vote on higher license fees – fantastic! Get the beleaguered drivers to pay more for a system that doesn’t work. You couldn’t make it up. This decision has been delayed until July. It needs to be kicked into the longest grass.
It’s not just TfL’s fault. The entire way that transport is funded in our Capital is appalling. London remains the only capital city in Europe that does not receive proper, regular central government funding for its transport networks.
This is something that the Labour government needs to address – and it’s something the Labour Mayor of London needs to make more noise about. Yes, the Government has provided £485m over this year and next, but this is mainly to cover outstanding costs on building the Elizabeth Line. TfL is still expected to be self-funding. And if it’s short, guess where that comes from Yep, car users.
During the pandemic lockdown, the Tory government was forced to bail out TfL. But it did so in a typically mean way, which is why ULEZ and C-charge prices went up and the ULEZ zone was extended to outer boroughs, where it has a minimal effect on air quality but garners great revenue in tolls and fines. Toothless, spineless TfL had no option but to take it on the chin.
The extent to which TfL is powerless to actually do anything is laid bare in its new “action” plan for the taxi and private hire sector. This glib, shallow document is light on detail and contains no timeframe in which improvements could be made.
Even the Black Cab lobby, which normally gets the best deal out of TfL compared to private hire, is disappointed. LTDA boss Steve McNamara called it “a missed opportunity”, filled with platitudes but with no real plans to address the issues..
The plan blandly witters on about “working with government” over safety concerns,
Even the Black Cabs get a vague, woolly raft of promises, including “making the case” to Government for financial incentives to buy new cabs, and loose promises to “work with trade representatives” over how to halt the sharp decline in black cab numbers
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan calls the black cabs “iconic” – but does this really justify giving priority treatment to 15,000 taxi drivers over 100,000 private hire drivers? The cab may be iconic – but so was the red phone box and the Routemaster bus. Both are gone, made redundant by changes in technology and safety regulations.
Maybe the black taxi needs a more radical overhaul than has been suggested. Do drivers really need to take four years learning every street and cut-through when satnavs, with real-time traffic information, are now a mature and very reliable technology?
Should we really be expecting drivers to buy a cab and run it for 15 years? Surely there’s a way of running a properly funded leasing scheme whereby a driver can lease a cab for no more than five years, after which it is sold off to a cabbie with a less onerous work schedule in another town? And the London taxis are regularly upgraded as a result.
Addison Lee used to do something with its Ford Galaxy fleet – the cars were bought by the company and rented to the drivers. When the time came to replace them, they were sold off from a lot in Camden – mainly to other PHV firms.
Why can’t the cab trade adopt something like this? And if it did, it wouldn’t need a vehicle built for 15 years. There are plenty of WAV taxi conversions available. So you’d lose the fabled 25ft (8.5m) turning circle. How big a deal is that with London’s streets effectively becoming one big oneway system, made even narrower by cycle lanes? And given the numbers of kamikaze cyclists on the streets, it might save a few lives. U-turning taxis are a big hazard for those on two wheels.
It would be no worse than losing the open rear platform on a double-decker bus. You’d still have an iconic vehicle, just slightly altered. And in volatile, changing times, perhaps a little flexibility goes a long way.
Mark
Government relaxes EV mandate in response to Trump’s 25% tariffs
Mark Bursa
The British government has relaxed demands on UK automakers to switch to production of electric vehicles. The move is a bid to soften the impact of swingeing tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
The move was welcomed by industry leaders, but there are already calls for greater support for the industry.
The Government said the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars would not change. But under the new plan, it will allow full hybrid and plugin hybrid vehicles to be sold until 2035. £2.3 billion has also been allocated to boost manufacturing of zero-emission vehicles and assist people in switching to electric vehicles.
The new measures include a reduction in fines car manufacturers must pay if they cannot comply with EV sales targets. EVs accounted for 19% of UK sales in March, well short of the 28% that carmakers would have needed to achieve in 2025 to meet the government’s EV mandate.
The new announcement also includes an exemption for low-volume manufacturers including Aston Martin, Bentley and McLaren.
Mike Hawes, head of UK auto industry group SMMT, said: “The government has rightly listened to industry, responded quickly to global dynamics and recognised the intense pressure manufacturers are under. Industry remains committed to decarbonising
road transport but the ZEV Mandate targets are incredibly challenging, especially with a paucity of consumer demand and geopolitical upheaval.”
But he said more needed to be done: “Growing EV demand to the levels needed still requires equally bold fiscal incentives, however, to give motorists full confidence to switch. Given the potentially severe headwinds facing manufacturers following the introduction of US tariffs, greater action will almost certainly be needed to safeguard our industry’s competitiveness.”
AA president Edmund King said the announcements were a pragmatic step forward. “The inclusion of hybrids can act as a stepping stone to help those not yet ready to make the full switch to electric,” he said.
“Our consistent message to government is more needs to be done to make EVs accessible for everyone. Generally, drivers are hesitant, but most are not hostile to the change. Help is needed to stimulate demand for EVs including
broader fiscal incentives. Drivers still raise concerns about cost of purchase, cost of charging and availability of chargers.”
Adrian Fielden-Gray, COO of national EV charging network Be.EV, called for greater spending on consumer incentives, not just manufacturer bailouts. “Today’s news is yet another example of there being too much ‘stick’ and not enough ‘carrot’ when it comes to EVs. The Government keeps thinking about car manufacturers, but they need to instead focus on incentives for drivers making the switch to electric.”
He continued: “Drivers have lost the home charging grant, purchasing grants, and most recently the exemption on VED. At a time where people are hesitating to switch, focus should be put on incentives and helping the making the transition to electric easier than ever.”
Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all cars imported to the US on April 3, a move which has been roundly slammed, and which has prompted a global stock
market crash on fears of a global trade war. The move is likely to drive up US car prices, as few low-cost cars are built in the US.
The US accounts for 16.9% of UK car exports, making it the UK car industry’s second-largest export market after the EU (which takes 54% of UK exports). More than 1 million British-made cars worth about £7.6bn were shipped to the US last year. But in the wake of Trump’s tariffs, Jaguar Land Rover has announced it was pausing car shipments to the US for a month to consider how to mitigate the costs of the tariffs. It is estimated that Range Rovers sold in the US could see prices rise by almost $30,000.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said Trump’s tariffs could put up to 25,000 UK jobs at risk, putting “extreme pressure” on Britain’s car makers.
The European Commission set out plans to soften its rules earlier this month, giving automakers three years, rather than one, to comply with CO2 emissions targets for cars and vans.
Sue Robinson, CEO of car dealer trade body NFDA, called for the UK to align with the EU. “The electric vehicle targets remain in place and the fines still remain too high for manufacturers. The UK remains the most aggressive regime for the EV transition and we would want the UK Government to align with the rest of Europe, in order to make our market as competitive as possible in a rapidly changing global marketplace.”
JLR is pausing US exports as it works out how to cope with the tariffs, which will add $30,000 to a top-line Range Rover in the US
Lewes Council slammed for ‘devastating’ rise in fees
Lewes District Council’s decision to increase licensing fees could cause “devastating damage” to the taxi trade, a local councillor has claimed.
The council has voted to put up licensing fees by 60% per cent, and independent councillor Sean MacLeod claimed fees have more than doubled in the six years he has been a councillor.
He said: “It’s staggering considering that we have asked taxis to install CCTV and there are so many things they have to spend money on. We’re hammering them but they’re getting nothing back. Licensing is increasing but meters have only gone up once in that time.”
The increase will come into effect from the 2025/26 financial year. The cost of a three-year Hackney Carriage, Private Hire or dual driver’s licence will rise from £315
to £472.50, an increase of £157.50. The annual Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle license will rise from £205.50 to £308.50.
Drivers’ test fees will also be hit. The application fee, which includes a DBS check, knowledge test, and English language test, is rising 50% from £227 to
£340.20. Retests for the knowledge exam will now cost £78.75, up from £52.50, while the English language retest fee will go up from £68.25 to £113.30.
Cllr MacLeod said: “I think there is a growing sense of disenfranchisement. Four taxi drivers have already told me they are going to call it a day following the increase. It is just absolutely killing the trade.”
He said the number of hackney taxis registered in the south coast town had dwindled to just 89, blaming the “ridiculously high number” of Uber drivers for the fall.
But Cllr Roy Clay, speaking on behalf of the licensing committee, said: “Our main priority is not just covering the cost of administration with these fees, but the safety of our public.”
Blacklane chauffeurs to receive full cost of London airport car parking charges
Mark Bursa
Chauffeurs working for Blacklane will now be paid the exact parking costs incurred at all London airport pick-ups and drop-offs. Previously chauffeurs were paid a flat fee – which sometimes left them out of pocket if customers were delayed.
Blacklane’s chauffeur partners can now upload receipts and booking information to a new online form that takes less than 90 seconds to complete.
Alan Sceeny, Blacklane head of London operations, said: “London airport parking is some of the most expensive in the world. We recognise that chauffeur partners occasionally felt penalised when met with delays in the airport. Thanks to their feedback we’ve introduced a new policy ensuring the actual costs incurred can be efficiently claimed.”
He added: “Our global business is about meeting
the needs of our chauffeur partners and guests, and we’ve worked hard to find a good solution.
We’re pleased to report this change has been embraced and we’ve successfully processed many thousands of London airport car parking expenses via the new process.”
The new airport parking payment policy was intro-
duced following chauffeur partner consultation. Feedback saw an overwhelming majority – more than 98.5% – support the new approach.
Previously all London airport bookings included an additional flat-fee to cover average parking costs. In most cases a guest would arrive within these parameters, however delays to disembarking an aircraft or at
baggage reclaim could see parking expenses go above the Blacklane allowance.
Now the exact parking costs incurred can be claimed, whether over or under the previous flat fee.
Blacklane approves expense claims within 24 hours and provides feedback in the same time frame on any claims that need to be revised.
Glasgow launches review of taxi and private hire overprovision policies
Mark Bursa
Glasgow City Council has launched a review on the number of taxis and private hire vehicles operating in the city.
The move follows concerns that there are not enough cabs operating late at night, and this was deterring people from visiting the city in the evening.
Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee has now launched a public consultation, which could result in a change to Glasgow’s strict cap on taxi numbers.
Glasgow currently has rules in place that state there is no over-provision of taxis until the number of vehicles reaches 1,420. For private hire cars there is no overprovision until the number of vehicles licensed for hire reaches 3,450.
The most recent figures
show there are 1,227 taxi vehicles, while private hire numbers are limited by the 3,450-vehicle cap.
The Licensing and Regulatory Committee wants to see if the overprovision policies have general support from the public, taxi and private hire operators, business and night-time economy representatives, emergency services, community councils and other
stakeholders.
Cllr Alex Wilson, chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, said: “Glasgow’s taxis and private hire cars are a key part of the city’s transport system and are vital for getting people safely to and from the city centre at night.
But the trade has faced huge challenges such as the covid pandemic and the growth of phone-app
technology. People’s leisure habits have also changed significantly in recent years.”
He continued: “Given the shifting landscape, it is right that the licensing committee reflects on whether our policies still proportionate and necessary.
“Gathering the widest possible range of views will help us ensure our policies strike the right balance for both operators and passengers. Anyone who has ever been in a taxi or private hire car in Glasgow has a stake in this policy review and I appeal to all to contribute to our survey.”
The public consultation on overprovision policies for taxi and private hire car vehicles in Glasgow is now open until May 28, 2025. It is available through this link:
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ OUDP2025/
Cost of pothole damage rises to £1.7bn after two-year drop
Mark Bursa
New data has revealed that the overall cost of pothole damage increased last year after two years when costs fell.
According to Kwik-Fit’s Pothole Impact Tracker (PIT) report, the past 12 months saw the nation’s drivers face a total bill of £1.7 billion in repairing damage to their cars caused by potholes.
The average repair bill faced by drivers is the highest since the company began tracking the cost in 2013. Drivers had to fork out an average of £144 in 2024, up from £120 in the previous year.
As well as the average repair cost going up, there was an increase in the number of drivers facing the highest bills. During the past year, over 1 million drivers have had to stump up more than £300.
Kwik Fit’s data includes all cars suffering pothole damage, not just those which have to be recovered from the roadside, but also those that can be driven to a garage. The
most commonly damaged components over the last year were tyres (in 38% of repairs), suspension (28%) and wheels (22%).
With advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) becoming commonplace on vehicles, potholes are having a knock-on effect beyond the immediate components damaged by the impact. Almost half (48%) of cars needing repairs also needed wheel alignment and a third (34%) required the ADAS system to be recalibrated, adding further cost. An increasing number of cars are fitted with large wheel sizes, which
makes tyre damage more costly to repair.
The vast majority of the nation’s repair bill has come directly from drivers’ pockets, with 70% funding repairs themselves. One in six (16%) have claimed on their car insurance, while 7% said they were covered by separate tyre insurance policies, such as Kwik Fit’s Tyrecare. Kwik Fit’s research found that just 6% had claimed compensation from the local authority responsible.
More than half (51%) of drivers believe that the roads in their area are in a worse condition than they were 12 months ago, with only 16% thinking they are better. The majority of drivers are also pessimistic about their immediate prospects. 62% say they don’t expect the roads in their local area to improve in the near future, despite the additional funding recently announced by the government.
Dan Joyce, operations director at Kwik Fit, said: “Anything which adds unnecessary costs to motorists is especially unwelcome in the current economic climate.”
TBR Global moves into London with EuroChauffeurs deal
Glasgow-based TBR Global Chauffeuring has moved into the London market with the acquisition of EuroChauffeurs.
The deal further expands TBR’s global reach and reinforces its position as a luxury ground transportation company with a global footprint.
Craig Chambers, CEO of TBR Global Chauffeuring, said: “EuroChauffeurs has built a strong reputation for its premium service and consistency, and we’re thrilled to welcome them into the TBR family. This acquisition is another important step on our journey to build a truly global, tech-enabled luxury ground transport business that delivers unrivalled experiences to our customers.”
Graham McLeay, Founder and CEO
of EuroChauffeurs, said: “Joining TBR Global Chauffeuring opens a new chapter for our clients and our people. TBR’s global infrastructure and investment in technology will allow us to offer even greater value to our clients, while preserving the high
standards they expect from us.”
The acquisition is part of TBR’s ongoing strategy to expand its international presence and to offer a consistent, premium experience to its corporate, events and investor roadshow customers.
TfL issues temporary licenses to drivers caught in computer chaos
Mark Bursa
Transport for London has granted temporary threemonth licenses to drivers whose applications were delayed by the failure of its new computer system.
The move comes after protests from trade unions, who claimed that drivers were being placed under undue financial pressure through no fault of their own. TfL has apologised for the delays and has postponed a proposed increase to licensing fees. This will now be discussed on July 14.
The App Drivers and Couriers’ Union (ADCU) said the delays had led to some drivers having their cars repossessed.
ADCU general secretary Zamir Dreni said: “There can be no further delays in the issuing of these emergency licences. Our members are desperate and it has to happen now.”
A TfL spokesperson said:
“The vast majority of the 123,000 drivers we license are unaffected by the glitch. However, we are aware that some drivers are affected and regrettably this has led to some drivers being unable to continue working. We apologise to these drivers and are working hard to resolve the issues and have increased the number of staff who are processing and issuing licenses.”
“In recognition of the current situation, we will be granting short-term private hire driver licenses for a
period of three months in cases where a complete application has been submitted and there are no issues that require further investigation.”
But the Independent Workers of Great Britain union (IWGB) said the temporary licenses would not be given to all drivers. In a statement, IWGB said: “Drivers whose cases are stuck with Occupational Health are currently not being considered for shortterm licenses, and TfL have offered no solution to this bottleneck.”
“The short-term licenses will also not address problems faced by drivers who are currently experiencing DBS issues. The short-term licences will only be issued to drivers who have passed SERU and the English Language Test.”
TfL had planned to discuss a 10% increase in license fees for drivers on April 9, as well as a proposal to hike the assessment fee from £16 to £30.
ADCU’s Zamir Dreni called on TfL’s finance committee to vote down the rises. He said: “TfL cannot seriously be planning to heap more misery on drivers by increasing licence fees, when they are not even managing to reissue licenses to drivers within a reasonable timeframe. TfL should be asking the app-based companies and platform operators to bear the brunt of price increases, not hard-pressed drivers.”
Delta and Veezu launch fighting fund for battle with Uber over VAT
Mark Bursa
Two leading private hire operators, Liverpool-based Delta Taxis and Cardiff-based Veezu, have launched a crowdfunding initiative to fund a court action against Uber over the issue of VAT on fares.
The cost of all private hire journeys outside London could potentially rise by 20% if Uber wins its Supreme Court appeal against a 2024 Court of Appeal ruling against it, slated for July 2025.
Uber is seeking a declaration from the Supreme Court that VAT should be added to the cost of all private hire taxi fares outside London at 20%. Uber was forced to add VAT to rides booked through its app in London after a ruling in 2021. It then took legal action involving Sefton council in Merseyside, where Delta is based, to force the same rules on operators outside London.
Courts initially ruled in Uber’s favour, but the decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2024.
Delta and Veezu want to raise £500,000 to support the industry’s legal battle against Uber, with costs already exceeding £1 million after High Court cases in 2022 and 2023, and a Court of Appeal case in 2024. The new ‘Fighting Fund to Protect Passenger Fares’ campaign calls for cross-sector and public support.
Private hire companies have usually classed drivers as independent, self-employed contractors and so do not pay VAT. But a previous court ruling in Lon-
don forced Uber to reclassify its drivers as “workers”, and hence the company agreed in 2021 that its fares were liable to VAT.
The industry argues that adding VAT to fares would disproportionately affect vulnerable passengers who rely on cabs, such as elderly people and those with restricted mobility in areas with poor public transport.
According to Veezu, 43% of journeys are for medical, work, or educational reasons, rather than leisure. Veezu and Delta also argue that the case could pose a serious risk to the livelihoods of thousands of self-employed drivers, who may see reduced passenger demand and earnings as a result of higher fares, while many smaller UK private hire operators could be forced out of business. Veezu estimates this could affect one in 10 drivers - an estimated 25,000 people.
Delta Taxis spokesman Paul McLaughlin said: “This court case could have
massive repercussions for PHV firms like us using the traditional agency model, which has been part of British culture for generations.”
“If Uber wins, it will add at least 20% to the cost of a private hire taxi fare outside of London and it will unfairly penalise passengers, taxi drivers and every other private hire firm in England and Wales. There are thousands of traditional private hire taxi firms just like us up and down the country, so the impact will be felt far and wide.”
He continued: “This really is a David vs Goliath moment – in this case we’re representing our entire industry and a Great British institution, as well as the best interests of taxi drivers and passengers. The potential cost of these changes could be devastating for so many people – we simply cannot let Uber win.”
Nia Cooper, chief legal officer at Veezu, said: “This case is about protecting the future of the private hire
industry and the millions of passengers who rely on it every day. It is often the only form of transport accessible to local communities on a consistent and reliable basis.”
“The ruling sought by Uber would impose a VAT burden on the rest of the industry that would create unfair competition across the sector and disregards the long-established structure of private hire firms.”
“If upheld, vulnerable passengers, drivers, and established PHV businesses will be caught in the crossfire of Uber’s commercial ambition.”
Layla Barke Jones, dispute resolution partner at the law firm Aaron & Partners, which will represent Delta Taxis in the Supreme Court, said: “There’s a lot at stake whichever way you look, but it’s our hope that we can once again block this move by Uber and protect the operators, drivers and passengers who rely upon traditional taxi firms.
Uber’s case against Delta and Veezu is expected to be heard in the Supreme Court in July 2025
Hyundai unveils 7-seater Ioniq 9 electric SUV flagship
Hyundai has unveiled a large all-electric seven-seater SUV.
The Ioniq 9 is Hyundai’s biggest EV to date, with a range of up to 387 miles on a full charge and 800v ultra-fast charging that allows recharging of the 110.3kWh battery from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes using a 350kW charger.
It shares much of its underpinnings with sister company Kia’s similar-sized EV9 SUV. , It is part of Hyundai’s plan to offer 21 EVs by 2030. Ioniq9 is now on sale now in Korea, and European markets will receive the car later in the year, when UK pricing and specification will be confirmed.
The front boot offers additional storage of up to 88 litres in RWD models and 52 litres in AWD models, suitable for storing charging cables, for example.
The Ioniq9 offers 620 litres of luggage room with all rows in place, which rises to 1,323 litres with the third row folded.
The interior is designed to be loungelike and light, with a panoramic sunroof. The flat floor accommodates flexible seating arrangements for six or seven
occupants. Optional individual seats in the second row offer full recline capability with leg rests as well as massage functions. Swivelling second-row seats are likely to be offered as an option too.
In the front, the centre console can slide back up to 190 mm to give ‘walk through’ access to the front seats.
A highly advanced heating system, which uses a heat pump, enables the Ioniq9 to travel more than 250 miles with the heaters on at exterior temperatures as low as minus 7°C. Three motor configurations are available. The long-range RWD uses a 160kW rear motor, while the longrange AWD adds a 70kW front motor for extra performance. For maximum output, the performance AWD model has 160kW motors on both the front and rear axles.
Local operators express concern over Uber’s Oxford comeback
Mark Bursa
Oxford operators are concerned that the city council’s decision to grant Uber a license to operate in the city will flood the city with out-of-town drivers looking for jobs.
Oxford was one of Uber’s prime targets for its now-ended Local Cab scheme, which saw Uber jobs offered to existing private hire operators, as the ride-hail giant claimed that up to 10,000 Uber users opened the app in the city every week – only to find no cabs available.
Uber initially partnered with major local operator 001 Taxis when it took the local cab scheme to Oxford in 2021, but Uber users have not been able to access cars there since Local Cab was scrapped. Now Uber has been given a license to operate in Oxford
and its surrounding areas.
It launched in the city last month after Oxford Council said it “found no reason to refuse the application”.
001 Taxis Oxford boss Amir Khan said Uber’s arrival would impact firms already operating in the city.
“The main concern is wherever they go, they flood the market with taxis,” he told local media.
“They could be local taxis, but a lot of the time it’s
out-of-towners, which then impacts the local drivers who have been working in these areas for a long period of time.The worry is the flooding of out-of-town vehicles, which will kill the trade for local drivers. The driver earnings will just diminish.”
Khan also expressed concerns about vehicle standards. “The vehicle standards are not to the standard they are in Oxford. The vehicles,
drivers, the processes are all different.”
Uber said it was “delighted to be launching in one of the UK's most iconic cities”, though Sajad Khan, secretary of the City of Oxford Licenced Taxicab Association, said Uber faced challenges in Oxford.
“Oxford is a small city and the work is dependent a lot on students,” he said “If students are away it gets very quiet.” He said that since the Covid pandemic, more people were working from home and fewer people were arriving at Oxford railway station.
He added that granting Uber a license also contradicted council strategies to reduce traffic and emissions. But Uber said it was increasingly focused on growing its electric vehicle fleet, adding that London was now Uber’s “global leading city for EVs"..
VW adds plug-in hybrid option to Multivan MPV range
Volkswagen has added a plug-in hybrid option to its Multivan MPV. The Multivan eHybrid 4Motion is now on sale, priced £45,465.
The vehicle has an innovative allwheel drive system, with the electric motor on the rear axle working in tandem with the petrol engine that powers the front axle.
There is a choice of two trim levels – Life and Style – and Standard and Long Wheelbase options are available.
The powertrain marries a 245PS 1.5 TSI petrol engine with a 6-speed DSG powertrain. The electric motor is powered by a large 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery, giving a WLTP pure electric range of up to 57.2 miles.
Multivan offers up to seven seats as standard, as well as 469 litres of luggage space, extending to 1,844 litres with the rear seats removed. VW has also announced a PHEV version of the smaller Caddy Cargo van, priced at £28,435.
Silvertown Tunnel opens but nonZEC private hire users face charges
The new Silvertown Tunnel Thames crossing has opened, giving drivers the promise of easier river crossings in East London. But users, including many private hire drivers, will face a toll between 06:00 and 22:00, seven days a week, to cross the river through both the new tunnel and the existing Blackwall tunnel in order to fund the development.
However, there are exemptions for black cabs, wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles and zero-emissions capable PHVs licensed by TfL (electric and plug-in hybrid) - which means around half of the current 100,000 PHV fleet
will not have to pay to use either tunnel.
The Silvertown tunnel is almost 1 mile long and links Newham to the Greenwich Peninsula. Following a review by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in 2016, the tunnel was revised to prioritise bus services, and one of the two lanes in each direction is a dedicated bus
lane – accessible to black cabs but not PHVs.
TfL claims average journey time savings are expected to be up to 20 minutes at peak times. For at least 12 months, the new cross-river bus routes serving Greenwich, Newham, and Tower Hamlets: routes 108, 129 and the new Superloop 4, will also be free for pay
as you go users. A cycle shuttle service has also been launched, operating every 12 minutes with a dedicated vehicle.
An off-peak rate of £1.50 will apply the majority of the time for vehicles registered for TfL Auto Pay. Peak charges of £4.00 for cars (£5.50 for large vans) will apply from 06:00 to 10:00 northbound in the morning and from 16:00 to 19:00 southbound in the evening. Peak charges apply at all times for drivers not registered with TfL Auto Pay.
Concessions and discounts are available, including a 50% for low-income residents in 12 east and southeast London boroughs and the City of London.
Privilege grows again with Galaxy Executive takeover
Leeds-based chauffeur operator Privilege Executive Cars has acquired local rival Galaxy Executive Travel. The deal is the second in just over 12 months for Privilege, which acquired Elite Voyager Chauffeur Travel last year.
Privilege has worked closely with Galaxy for the past 10 years. “We are excited to begin this new venture and build lasting working relationships with Galaxy’s existing clientele,” said Privilege managing director Paul Watson (pictured).
“As we integrate Galaxy Executive Travel into our growing business, we are eager to continue providing excellent service to all of our clients old and new,” he added. Galaxy Executive Travel was established in 2002, and has become one of Yorkshire’s biggest chauffeur services.
The deal means Privilege now has a fleet of more than 40 Mercedes-Benz S-class, E-class and V-class vehicles. Last year’s Elite Voyager deal added six more vehicles to the company’s fleet.
Mark Bursa
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Camden to install 570 EV pavement charge points after successful trial
Mark Bursa
The London Borough of Camden is installing 570 pavement charging points following a successful 2022 trial scheme.
Camden Council has awarded a contract to charge point operator Trojan Energy to install the charge points, backed by government funding from the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS).
Trojan Energy’s charge points are designed flat and flush with the pavements and enable residents without driveways to charge their EVs, while leaving the pavement unobstructed when they are not in use.
Customers use an adaptor to connect their vehicle to the charge point at the roadside. The charge points do not have cables attached.
Trojan Energy previously deployed charge points in Camden in 2022 as part of an Innovate UK trial, which received positive feedback from users and residents.
The new chargers will also integrate with car club schemes, supporting Camden’s wider goal to reduce unnecessary private car ownership and promote active travel options.
Trojan Energy’s charge points are designed as a cluster, increasing the chances of EV drivers finding a free charging bay, according to the firm. This combined with the park-
ing bay sensor technology means dedicated bays are not required, enabling easier deployment.
The first 70 charge points will be installed in July 2025 and all 570 charge points are expected to be in place by the end of 2026.
Ian Mackenzie, CEO of Trojan Energy, said: “After the huge success of our trials in 2022, we are delighted to now be able to support
the Borough’s ambition towards sustainable travel.”
Cllr Adam Harrison, cabinet member for planning and a sustainable Camden, said: “Supporting electric vehicles and car clubs will make it easier for residents who want to make the shift to EVs. We hope to improve air quality, reduce emissions, and support environmental resilience across the borough.”
Dealer group Arnold Clark sets up EV charge network at showrooms
One of the UK’s largest car dealer groups is installing more than 240 ultra-rapid EV charge points at its branches in England and Scotland, offering drivers another charging option.
Glasow-headquartered Arnold Clark Group is spending more than £30 million on the chargers, and is planning to double the number of chargers to 500, covering more than 100 locations in the UK – around half the group’s dealerships.
The plan is to have up to eight 150kW rapid chargers at Arnold Clark branches, accessible via the Arnold Clark app, which will allow customers to book safely and securely, with most sites acces-
sible 24/7. The chargers offer ultra-rapid charging at a rate of 55p/kWh, cheaper than many other national networks, which can charge more than 80p/kWh.
Eddie Hawthorne, chief executive of Arnold Clark, said: “As electric vehicles become more and more common on UK roads, we know that our charging infrastructure needs to develop and grow to meet these increasing demands.”
Customers need to download the Arnold Clark app, create an account or log in, and then sign up to Arnold Clark Charge. They can then book a charge at a time or location that suits them.
Arnold Clark Group has also partnered with home charge point installer Bumblebee to provide customers who buy a new or used EV from the dealerships with a range of home charging options.
Camden Councillor Adam Harrison (left) with Trojan chief operating officer Hugh MacKenzie
Highland PHV drivers could face knowledge tests
Private hire car drivers in the Highlands of Scotland could be forced to take a knowledge test after complaints that some newly licensed drivers could not navigate simple trips.
Hackney taxi drivers are already subject to knowledge tests in the region, but some councillors believe private hire drivers should have to take the same tests. Highland councillors have agreed to prepare a consultation on local knowledge tests for private hire drivers.
Gavin Johnston, owner of Inverness
Taxis, said private hire drivers’ local knowledge should be better. He said some new drivers did not know “simple”
destinations around Inverness such as Raigmore Hospital or the airport.
“We’ve seen a lot of people relocating here to become a private hire driver in the past few years. I would like to see the drivers coming to the area to be a bit more equipped to do the job. The driver needs to have basic knowledge of major areas.”
The requirement for private hire drivers to undertake a knowledge test is up to individual local authorities. Highland Council, Dundee and West Lothian do not require one, whereas Aberdeen, Perth and Kinross and Angus do.
Virgin Atlantic plans to set up UK electric air taxi network
Mark Bursa
Zero-emissions air taxi services in the UK have moved a step closer following the announcement of a tie-up between Virgin Atlantic Airlines and Toyota-backed electric aircraft maker Joby Aviation.
The companies plan to set up air taxi operations using Joby’s electric aircraft, based out of hubs at Heathrow and Manchester airports. And the partners want the service to offer prices that are comparable with “existing premium ground ride-sharing options”.
The aircraft will be piloted – they are not autonomous craft. The timing of the project is unclear - the start of the service depends on the aircraft being approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
The partnership builds on an existing agreement between California-based Joby and Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, to launch a similar service in the US.
The partnership aims to
offer short-range journeys across the UK, starting with regional and city connections from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs at Heathrow and Manchester. Virgin Atlantic customers will be able to reserve a seat on Joby’s aircraft through Virgin Atlantic’s app, website and other channels. The airline will also work with regulators to get the aircraft approved and develop landing infrastructure at key airports.
The Joby electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph.
The aircraft uses six tilting propellers that allow it to take off and land vertically far quieter than a helicopter. The aircraft is optimised for routes of up to 100 miles. Joby has completed thousands of test flights, including exhibition flights in New York City, Japan and Korea.
Journeys in the UK could include a 15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds, or an 8-minute journey from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf. Over time, Joby wants to build a network of landing loca-
tions that offer rapid and convenient travel around cities and communities throughout the UK.
Joby exhibited its aircraft at the 2024 Farnborough Airshow, and has formally applied to have it validated for use by the CAA.
Toyota has invested $894 million in helping Joby develop and build the aircraft. In 2023, the two companies signed a long-term agreement for Toyota to supply key powertrain and actuation components, and Toyota engineers work with the Joby team in California.
TAXI TO OBLIVION TAXI TO OBLIVION
The London Black Cab could be extinct within 20 years unless it becomes easier and cheaper for new cabbies to enter the trade. A new report by Centre for London said that if the current decline in London taxi numbers continues, there would be no Black Cabs on London’s roads by 2045.
The decline in numbers is alarming. In 2013-14, 22,810 taxis were licensed to operate on London’s roads. Now the number stands at 14,470 – a fall of 34.5% over the ten years to 2023-24. In 2024, just 104 licenses were issued to new drivers, compared to 1,010 in 2016.
By contrast, private hire vehicle numbers have grown substantially thanks to the rise of ride-hailing operators such as Uber and Bolt. In 2009-10, the number of private hire drivers licensed by TfL was 59,191. By 2023-24, this had grown by 82% to 107,884.
Antonia Jennings, CEO of Centre
The London black cab could face extinction by 2045, according to a new report. Mark Bursa asks Sherbet boss Asher Moses about how to stem the loss of drivers
for London, said: “Black Cabs are a fundamental part of London’s cityscape. We must not let them become part of the capital’s history.”
The decline started during the Covid-19 pandemic, believes Asher Moses, head of black cab operator Sherbet, which has a fleet of around 550 black cabs, all of them the latest TXe series hybrid model. The 2013 figure hadn’t dropped much by 2020, he says. But the problem was the vehicle fleet, which at that time comprised mainly older diesel TX cabs, as the hybrid LEVC TXe had only been on sale for a couple of years.
“During Covid, all these diesel taxis came off the road. The only way for taxi fleets to survive was to decommission as many cabs and owner-drivers as possible, not for the value of the
cab, sadly,” Moses says. “So drivers for a good two years lost their income. During this period, drivers chose jobs like lorry driving and all sorts of stuff.”
When the pandemic ended, the only way for drivers to get back in was to buy a new TXe – which was much more expensive than the older diesel TX. Drivers couldn't afford the new model. “The TXe taxi was so pricey. Fleets like us could never catch up after Covid to buy the amount of electric taxis compared to the amount we decommissioned,” says Moses. “Drivers couldn’t get jobs, couldn’t get cabs, couldn’t work – so they went back to their original jobs, such as printers or builders or electricians.”
The situation has not improved in the three years since the pandemic
OBLIVION OBLIVION
ended. Moses says: “It’s too expensive for everybody to buy electric cabs, and it’s too expensive to rent electric cabs to them. Insurance has gone up almost 60% in the past 12 months. So the viability of fleet, of the old way of running a taxi fleet, has been decimated.”
The Centre for London report says that since 2017, when the hybrid-electric TXe was introduced, there has been a 39% increase in upfront costs, in cash terms, of buying a new cab.
A TfL scrappage scheme, offering cabbies £10,000 to scrap old vehicles, ended in 2022. Meanwhile, the Department for Transport’s Plug-in Taxi Grant has dropped from £7,500 to £4,000 and will end entirely from 2026. This means from 2017 to 2026, the grant support available for purchasing a new taxi will have gone from £17,500 to £0.
Moses believes that the decision to invest in the London taxi sector needs to be driven at Government level. “Do you want to keep the iconic licensed
news analysis: black cab crisis
London taxi service alive? Yes or no? There needs to be a commitment from that level.”
With self-employed cabbies struggling to afford vehicles, the price of entry needs to come down. One way of doing this would be by introducing a cheaper alternative to the LEVC cab.
“We need to bring in more competition because we can’t have one supplier of a iconic taxi that is going up in price,” Moses says. But the trade-off might mean something closer to the Allied Vehicles conversions that are sold as Hackney taxis in other cities. These do not have the London-specific turning circle, and are perceived to be of a lower quality.
While this makes commercial sense, the emotional response of the trade is harder to overcome. Like The Knowledge, the turning circle is part of cab culture – even though London’s increasingly one-way traffic flows mean there are fewer places where a driver can perform a swift 180 to pick up a fare.
And while a cheaper vehicle would help, a rival to the LEVC cab is unlikely to be that much less expensive. “Why would somebody bring in a cheaper vehicle if they can get the same price? But it brings competition, right? And we're desperate for that competition because we are held to ransom,” Moses says.
LEVC is itself working on a next-generation black cab.
According to information released by the company last year, this is planned to be an all-electric vehicle. However Moses claims LEVC officials have told him a vehicle “with an engine” would still be available, at a slightly lower price point, possibly to counter reluctance among drivers to go all-electric, given that many cabbies do not have access to home
charging and have to use expensive charging networks.
The other way to bring down the price of entry is to change the way drivers get behind the wheel. Centre for London proposes a new interest-free loan scheme to help newly qualified drivers buy a taxi. This would replicate Scotland’s successful Switched On Taxis Loan programme.
But Moses thinks the solution should be more radical. Rather than buying a cab and running it for 15 years, he believes the future will belong to a different business model, where operators buy the cabs and drivers rent them.
This is something that Moses is already offering via a service called Sherbet DAB, where a driver can rent a cab by the shift or by the day. “A driver can literally pick up a cab, run it, run it back, come back, get another
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Sherbet founder Asher Moses is a double 2025 Professional Driver QSi Award winner and runs a fleet of 550 black cabs
I believe we can rebuild this taxi fleet back to 20,000 vehicles “ ”
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
one the next day, then come back on Saturday. They pay a little bit more per shift, but just turn up and open a cab up, get a key out of a locked box, use it, drop it back, I think that's a very unique selling point.”
For this to work, the operators have to invest heavily in buying the vehicles – which requires support. “London Mayor Khan said if cab drivers can’t afford to buy them, fleet operators can. Go to the fleet operator and rent them,” Moses says.
“I‘m sorry, Mr Mayor, I cannot afford to buy them. We need support to be able to buy these vehicles as fast as
physically possible. Rather than taking away the grants, give us interest-free loans. Come on, we’re in support of your strategy!”
“We’re paying VAT. I’ve got to buy a cab, pay the VAT and get it back in three months’ time. Why should I pay interest to do that? We can’t do these things any more.”
The other major obstacle to growing driver numbers is “The Knowledge”, which is increasingly seen as a major barrier to entry for prospective drivers. Taking three years or more to complete, it also acts as a barrier for many Private Hire Vehicle drivers who wish to switch to becoming a cab driver.
An industry survey found that while
52% of PHV drivers had considered becoming a Black Cab driver, 44% of PHV drivers said it took “too long to become a Black Cab driver”, and that 29% would not consider becoming a Black Cab driver because the Knowledge exam was “too hard”.
Centre for London has recommended a series of policy changes to reverse the decline. The Knowledge should be reformed to encourage more drivers to apply and qualify in an effort to reduce the 66% drop-out rate of drivers who start but do not complete the process. This could involve reducing the area covered to central London, with outer areas navigated by satnav.
“We can make it a bit easier,” Moses says. He believes the taxi driver needs to have a different level of knowledge “Knowing London inside out, it’s not the streets only, it is the restaurants, it is the theatres, it is the bars, it is what’s going on. We need to have a knowledge of London to build ambassadors out of these drivers.”
Moses says he is “100% confident that Sherbet can rebuild the London taxi trade. “You can't be a trade. You need to be a brand, right? And we are the brand for the taxi trade. We’re doing it commercially with the drivers who want to come. I believe we can rebuild this taxi fleet back to 20,000.”
Under the Sherbet DAB scheme, drivers can rent cabs by the day rather than having to buy outright
TfL’s new taxi and private hire plan slammed as ‘missed opportunity’
Transport for London has released its Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan 2025, but the response has been decidedly muted.
The plan concentrates mainly on the needs of the hackney cab market rather than private hire, but this is not enough for London Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) general secretary Steve McNamara, who said the plan was “a missed opportunity”, and the 14-point plan document lacked any meaningful strategy.
The 14-point plan focuses on including safety improvements, increased accessibility, and efforts to modernise the industry, but it is light on detail and contains no timeframe in which improvements could be made.
McNamara said: “This Action Plan is a missed opportunity. It’s filled with platitudes about the importance of licensed taxis and recognises the serious challenges we face, yet it sets out no real plans to actually address those challenges.”
He continued: “Despite the problems the industry is facing being repeatedly reiterated to TfL and the Mayor, instead of actions, what we see are the same hollow promises to ‘work with us’, ‘consult’, ‘encourage’ and ‘lobby’ for things the government
Transport for London's long-awaited taxi plan is light on detail and vague on actions and timings. LTDA boss Steve McNamara has led the criticism, while the private hire sector barely gets a mention in the 14-point document. Mark Bursa reports
has already made up its mind on, with no concrete action to support hard-working taxi drivers.”
Among the points within the plan are a commitment that black taxis continue to have access to bus lanes wherever possible and encouraging boroughs to grant taxis access to bus lanes on borough roads.
The plan said TfL would “work with the Government to secure greater powers to make taxi and private hire services even safer”. This includes a vague request for “powers to tackle cross-border hiring”, without specifying what problems are encountered, and calls for powers to issue fixed penalty notices and regulate taxi booking companies – presumably referring to ride-hailing operators such as Uber and Bolt.
The plan also calls for improved training to be offered to taxi and private hire drivers, including new online voluntary training courses and new Disability Equality Training
that will be designed in partnership with disability stakeholders. Online voluntary training courses will cover a range of topics such as safety advice and conflict management, customer service skills and health and wellbeing advice, in response to calls from taxi and private hire representatives.
The plan calls for “further amendments” to The Knowledge to help attract new people to join the taxi trade, though this does not contain any detailed plan as to how the test could be simplified or shortened. TfL is reviewing and updating the ‘Blue Book’ guide to The Knowledge, and claims it “continues to discuss options” with taxi trade representatives to make better use of technology.
The plan will also review the optimum allocation, position and design of taxi ranks, including at public transport hubs.
No financial help is offered – only a vague claim that TfL would “make the case to the Government” to continue the plug-in taxi grant, reduce VAT from public charge points and remove VAT from the purchase of taxis and designated wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the new plan is designed to support the trade through a challenging period: He said: “London’s black taxis have a rich history and play a vital role in keeping London moving and providing an accessible door-to-door service, and I want to ensure they keep doing so for years to come.
“At a time when the taxi trade and private hire industry face huge pressures, this new action plan will help to bolster and protect them, retaining and attracting more drivers to the trade and ensuring high safety standards for both passengers and drivers, building a better, fairer London for all.”
Steve McNamara: “Instead of sctions, what we see are the same hollow promises”
Sir Sadiq Khan: “Plan will ensure high safety standards for both drivers and passengers”
Chauffeur insurance with Howden
About Howden
Our success story began 30 years ago with a clear vision to redefine, reinforce, and reimagine insurance for niche industries. Recognising the gaps in coverage and support for professional chauffeurs, we set out to create a tailored insurance solution that offers more than just protection – our policies provide peace of mind both for you, and your clients too.
Our values
Customer-centric:
Chauffeurs and executive drivers remain front and centre of everything we do. At Howden, we listen, learn, and adapt to meet your specific needs.
Our expertise: Removing roadblocks through knowledge
Innovative:
We embrace technology. Steering a path toward insurance products that are relevant and forward-thinking, adapting to the constantly evolving requirements and needs of a chauffeur’s world.
With deep industry insights and years of experience, at Howden we specialise in crafting insurance solutions that address the particular challenges and changes affecting the chauffeur profession.
From comprehensive coverage for luxury vehicles to tailored liability protection, we ensure that chauffeurs are given the right tools to safeguard not only your livelihoods but the business assets you have worked so hard to secure.
A global business and a force for good
Beyond the chauffeuring world and aside from this team, Howden has 6,500 employees and more than 200 offices across the UK and Ireland. Worldwide, we have 20,000 employees in over 55 countries, which is proof you’re in safe and trusted hands.
Our London Head Office is a venue which will continue to be used by Pro-Driver for future events and conferences, so watch out for these.
Transparent:
From pricing to claims processing, we prioritise honesty and clarity, putting the tools in place to keep you on the road if and when the worst occurs.
How can we help you with your insurances?
Comprehensive vehicle coverage –we provide insurance that protects chauffeurs’ vehicles against theft, damage, and other unforeseen events. This includes specialised coverage for high-value cars, ensuring that repairs or replacements meet with your high standards, and are provided in a timely manner.
Liability insurance – passenger safety is non-negotiable, and our liability insurance ensures chauffeurs are covered in the event of an accident. From medical costs to legal fees, we’ve got you and your passengers covered.
Fleet solutions – for chauffeur businesses managing multiple vehicles often housed at different locations, we offer fleet insurance solutions and policies tailored to provide costeffective, streamlined coverage for all your vehicle assets.
Flexible add-ons – we recognise that every chauffeur has unique needs. That’s why we offer add-ons such as breakdown legal expenses and motor legal expenses, too.
Reliable:
Chauffeurs need an insurance partner they can trust, and we aim to be just that – dependable and always available, whenever and wherever you need us.
And we’re not just about the insurance...
With Howden being a proud Principal Partner of the British and Irish Lions (we even have our name on the front of the jerseys), the Chauffeur team was recently able to donate a signed Lions shirt to a charity auction held by ProDriver at their QSi Awards.
Howden has also been an Official Partner of the Ascot Racecourse since 2021. Not only does this reflect our equine team’s strong knowledge of this sector, but it’s very likely where you’ll find many of our chauffeur clients dropping off and picking up clients on race days.
Why choose Howden?
While all the above will shape and influence your decision to place your insurances with us, there are three key advantages:
Affordable and fair premiums: Competitive pricing ensures you get the best value without compromising on coverage.
01 02 03
Customised policies: Whether you’re an individual chauffeur or a fleet manager, our policies can be tailored to your needs.
Effortless claims process: We’ve streamlined the claims process to make it as simple and stress-free as possible.
Driving towards success, in tandem with our clients
A great chauffeur service should take a proud place in the highly reliable driving seat of smooth, sleek and luxurious transportation, offering a critical service that seamlessly merges professionalism, discretion, and safety.
But behind the tinted car windows and beyond the gentle purr of the engine, chauffeurs and executive drivers face unique challenges – especially when it comes to securing the best business insurance. That’s where Howden slides into the passenger seat, riding shotgun in order to help you protect and grow your chauffeur service.
In this article, you’ll get to meet the Howden specialist team, discover more about our business ethos, and find out how we support chauffeurs and executive drivers with tailored insurance solutions – both now and in the future.
Meet the team
At the heart of our chauffeur insurance business is a dynamic and committed group of professionals, dedicated to making insurance accessible, effective, and tailored to the unique needs of this very specific sector. Let’s take a closer look at the people driving our success:
Natalie Lodge Associate Director
Natalie’s worked at Howden for 28 years. After spending several years in a sales role for household insurance, her passion for leadership and coaching prevailed, allowing her to make the move into management.
Natalie’s managed a selection of different schemes over the last 18 years, from private clients to the gun trade. In 2023, she started working within the funeral director and chauffeur schemes.
Ricky Chivers Account Executive
Our main chauffeur sector specialist, Ricky has worked at Howden for 27 years and has vast experience in looking after clients within the transportation sector. With a keen understanding of the challenges facing chauffeurs today, Ricky is committed to client service and building lasting relationships and is always keen to pay a client visit in order to get to know you and your business better.
Michael Jordan Claims Handler
When the unexpected happens, Michael is ready to help you. Our claims expertise ensures that claims are processed efficiently, transparently, and with minimal disruption to your business, getting you back on the road as soon as possible.
Client Service team
Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly responsive, our team are here to answer questions, provide guidance, and ensure that every chauffeur receives the support they need, whenever they need it.
Jeanette McCreanney 020 8633 8550
jeanette.mccreanney@howdeninsurance.co.uk
Liam O’Neill
020 4511 6721
liam.m.oneill@howdeninsurance.co.uk
Cameron Scott 020 8036 3968
cameron.scott@howdeninsurance.co.uk
The Howden team is united by a single goal – to protect and empower chauffeurs by offering exceptional insurance solutions. We pride ourselves on building relationships that go beyond policies and claims responses, helping clients navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
Case study
The scenario
A large chauffeur enterprise was looking for a new insurance broker and provider with more flexible terms than its current one, and approached us for a chauffeur fleet policy quote.
The provider at the time was applying restrictions which the business found hard to comply with. This included overnight parking restrictions, high policy excesses, and driving restrictions for various high-value vehicles. When briefing us, the business mentioned they felt the premium had been too high for a few years – all without a full review. Therefore, they requested that Howden perform a complete audit.
The journey to success
The specialist Chauffeur team at Howden took full risk details, listening carefully to understand what was required and how we could satisfy their current demands as well as their business needs in the future. We also agreed that we would carry out a full premium review and report back with our findings – immediately filling the service gap left by their previous insurance provider.
The outcome
Howden displayed a full commitment to understanding their specific requirements, engaging appropriately with the insurers. We managed to obtain a suitable policy with not only much improved policy terms, but also a premium which was much more competitive than the previous suppliers. The chauffeur business was therefore happy to sign contracts, placing their full insurance needs with us, the Howden Chauffeur team.
This is just one example of what we strive to do every day – listen, understand, and find competitive insurance solutions for our clients. If you’re in a similar situation and would appreciate fresh, tailored insight, we’re here to help.
Some feedback directly from our chauffeur sector clients
“
Ricky and his team helped us get the best possible insurance quote for 2024/2025 and the service and communications were extra special and professional. I would personally like to thank Ricky. Highly recommended and Broker of the Year 2024. Will not look elsewhere from now on.
Prestige Chauffeurs Cardiff
Ltd
“
I have been using many other chauffer insurance companies for many years, but Howden is the best company and most affordable premium so far. And of course, the best and friendliest customer service too. Especially Cameron.” Firat K
Howden and you: A partnership set for success and longevity
As a chauffeur, you’re more than a driver – you’re a symbol of reliability and professionalism. Our mission is to be the partner that protects and enhances your business, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional service. From our team to yours, let it be known that we’re committed to providing insurance solutions that empower chauffeurs to thrive in a competitive industry.
Together, we can navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and ensure a secure, prosperous future for your business. Let’s drive success – together.
As your dedicated chauffeur contact point, I personally look forward to working beside you, and I’m always happy to visit clients – my preferred way of getting to know both you and your business.
It’s rare that an automotive story dominates the front pages of the global media. But Tesla’s dramatic decline is such a story. And for every loser, there are winners. And with Tesla’s sales tumbling off the sales leaderboard, the company that appears to be the best placed to make hay is China’s BYD.
With impeccable timing, BYD has just launched a fifth model into the UK market – and the BYD Sealion 7 is a car pitched directly at Tesla’s biggest-seller, the Model Y. Not only is it going on sale at the time of Tesla’s Musk-induced turmoil, it’s also hitting the market while the Model Y is undergoing a major facelift, with new supplies not due for a couple of months.
BYD launched the Sealion 7 to the press last month in typical style – a big, slick presentation, highlighting the scale and scope of the company’s operations. The numbers are impressive. In 2024 BYD sold 4.27 million vehicles, placing it sixth in the league table of global automakers, just behind Ford and ahead of GM, Honda and Nissan. And the trajectory is upwards – that 4.27m total was up a whopping 41% on 2023 and a ten-fold increase on 2020. BYD’s ambitions are clear.
Sealion 7 is the fifth – and to date, biggest – car that BYD has launched in the UK since it entered the market just over two years ago, and three more models are lined up for 2025. All will be full electric or hybrid – BYD stopped making pure ICE models in 2022.
Sealion 7 is only 30mm longer than the Seal, but a taller (by 160mm) stance gives the impression of a much larger vehicle. It is pitched at the biggest sector in the UK – the mid-sized SUV market. Pricing starts at £46,990 for the rear-wheel drive, entry-level Comfort model, rising to £51,990 for Design and £58,990 for Excellence. Both the higher trim levels have all-wheel drive.
It’s a handsome car, with a strong family resemblance to the Seal saloon and Seal U compact SUV. All BYDs are styled by Wolfgang Egger, the former Audi and Alfa Romeo designer who BYD hired in 2017 to develop cars suitable for overseas markets.
Sealion 7 comes with a choice of two battery capacities, both based around BYD’s latest ‘blade’ battery technology. The battery is mounted under the floor, and is so strong that it actually forms part of the car’s structure. BYD calls this Cell-to Body (CTB) and it has a number of advantages; less weight and a thinner underfloor area, which in turn gives move headroom.
The RWD Comfort spec and AWD Design models have a 82.5kWh battery. This gives the single-motor version a WLTP combined range of 300 miles, while the twin-motor Design AWD has a WLTP figure of 283 miles. The range-topping Excellence AWD gets a larger 91.3kWh battery pack, which gives this version the longest range of any Sealion 7, at 312 miles.
All Sealion 7s get 11 kW three-phase AC charging as standard. Models with the 82.5kWh battery and there’s a choice of DC rapid-charging rates. Comfort and Design editions can be recharged at up to 150kW, allowing the battery to be recharged from 10% to 80% in 32 minutes. The larger-battery Excellence AWD can reach speeds of 230kW when hooked up to a DC ultra-fast charging station, meaning the battery can be recharged from 10-80% in just 24 minutes. CONTINUED ON
road test: BYD Sealion 7 Excellence
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25
Sealion 7’s wheelbase is 10mm longer than the BYD Seal, and combined with a completely flat rear floor, this makes plenty of space in the rear cabin for three adults.
Greater attention has been placed on interior quality, with extremely good fit and finish and very comfortable seats. Rear seats have plenty of padding and rear headroom is generous, despite the coupe-style roofline. The Sealion 7 has double-layered laminated glass in the front doors and privacy glass in the rears. There’s plenty of natural light from above, thanks to a large, full-length electric panoramic sunroof.
The driving position is good, with a four-way adjustable steering wheel and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with ventilation and heating as standard.
As with the Seal, the Sealion 7 has BYD’s centrally mounted rotatable 15.6in touchscreen, as well as a 10.25in digital dash. The touchscreen takes some getting used to, with some fiddly menus though thankfully there is a bar below it for accessing
often-used functions such as climate control or radio. Please allow a onetouch “turn off the bings and bongs” option too!
On the road the car has a “big car” feel. There’s plenty of power, with 0-62mph acceleration of 4.5sec on the twin-motor versions (6.7sec on the Design version). On the downside, it suffers, like a lot of tall, SUV-style EVs with drive-by-wire systems, from a rather unengaging driving experience. It’s at its best as a cruiser on motorways or dual carriageways.
Sealion 7 has wireless smartphone charging, a pair of USB ports for both front and rear passengers, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology that allows you to power domestic items (up to 3.3 kW) such as a small fridge or even a coffee machine.
Boot capacity is a useful 520 litres with the rear seats in place. There’s also a 58-litre ‘frunk’ that’s ideal for storing charging cables or car-cleaning kit, while the cabin itself has more than 20 cubbyholes for keeping smaller items secure yet accessible, including an area for smartphones, at the base of the dashboard, that includes a wireless charging pad.
VERDICT
BYD means business. This powerhouse Chinese automaker has only been in the UK for two years, yet it has already made a big impression.
The BYD Seal was very deservedly Professional Driver’s 2025 Car of the Year, and its big sister is arguably an even better vehicle, with loads of interior space and impressive build quality.
Electric range is good if not earth-shattering at just over 300 miles, though given BYD’s advances in battery tech and charging infrastructure, range anxiety is unlikely to be an issue in the future.
On the downside, the touchscreen system is rather fiddly and we’d like to spend longer with the car to get used to it. Like all modern electric SUVs, there’s plenty of acceleration and not enough handling feel, though the Sealion 7 is a very comfortable motorway cruiser.
Better than a Tesla Y? Yes, in just about every department. And it comes with a lot less baggage!
DATA
Price as tested £58,990 OTR
SPECIFICATION
Powertrain Dual-motor EV
Transmission Single-speed auto, all-wheel drive
Battery pack 91.3kWh Blade (LFP)
Power 530hp (308hp rear, 215hp front)
Torque 690Nm
Top speed 133mph
0-62mph 4.5sec
Electric range 312 miles (WLTP combined)
Charging time 9hr 36min AC (11kW 3-phase, 0-100%) 24min DC (230kWh rapid, 10-80%)
CO2 emissions 0g/km (WLTP)
Charge port CCS2
Length 4,830mm
Width 1,925mm
Height 1,620mm
Wheelbase 2,930mm
Loadspace 520 litres (rear) 58 litres (front)
Turning circle 5.85m
Vehicle warr'y 6 years / 93,750 miles
Battery warr'y 8 years / 125,000 miles
Drive warranty 8 years / 93,750 miles
Body warranty 12 years
Insurance Gp 49E
VED Band A
Striving for number 1 spot
Mark Bursa
BYD is a relative newcomer – but its growth has been remarkable. Last year it built 4.27 million cars – all of them either hybrid or electric.
The company was founded just 30 years ago as a battery maker, and only moved into car manufacturing when it bought a small Chinese automaker in 2003. But even then, the eyes were on combining battery with car, and BYD has been building EVs since 2009.
Executive Vice-President Stella Li has been with the company since the late 1990s, and was earlier this year voted World Car Person of the year –the first woman, and the first Chinese auto executive, to win this award.
Li is credited with powering BYD’s growth – and that is an ongoing process, she says. BYD is the global number one maker of electrified vehicles (PHEVs and EVs), and she wants that to be the case in all overseas markets – with one major exception.
“We are going to every country except US and Canada – it’s too complicated. We don’t want to deal with the complexity of the political relationships,” she says. That just relates to car sales, however. BYD is happy to supply batteries in the US – indeed, it makes them there. And one of its biggest customers is one of its biggest automotive rivals – Tesla.
“BYD is one of leading players in battery sales,” Li says. “We sell to a number of other auto brands as well as Tesla. There is competition between car brands but we can also cooperate and support each other. We will continue working in that area as BYD has very strong manufacturing capability.”
The UK is one of BYD’s top five target markets, she says, along with
the other major European markets such as France and Germany. Already BYD has five models on sale, with more to follow – next up is an entry-level hatchback which will expand BYD’s market reach.
And later this year it will launch a second brand, Denza, as an up-market luxury and performance brand, closer to Porsche than Mercedes-Benz or BMW. “The Denza brand will have very cutting-edge technology,” she says, describing the brand as “more premium than Mercedes”. And there will be at least 7 models including saloons, coupes, MPVs and SUVs. With a strong focus on battery technology comes a focus on charging technology. BYD has announced plans to install chargers capable of delivering 2km of range every second – so a 300km recharge would take just 5 minutes.“In China people complain that 20 mins is too long to recharge –we want to develop technology that makes recharging as fast as refuelling with gasoline,” she says.
BYD has developed a 1.3megawatt charger – but that can only work on cars with a 1,000volt platform – which means the next generation of BYDs.
“When we introduce new models that can do this we will introduce our fast superchargers in the UK,” Li says. These will not be BYD-owned, but will be supplied to commercial networks.
They will need large amounts of battery storage (supplied by BYD, of course) –but because they’re so fast, you won’t need so many.
For the moment, BYD recognizes that BEVs are only achieving market shares of around 20% in Europe. “More than 70% of the population stays with ICE cars and are not comfortable with EVs,” she admits. For that reason, BYD will continue to offer a range of PHEVs. “This is the way to open the door for the 70% to move toward EV,” she says.
By 2035, of course, it will have to be all EVs. Li is unconcerned. “I don’t worry about the UK after 2035. The UK is not a big country. Put in big supercharging stations, and you can cover it. Once people build up a habit of using EVs, it’s workable.”
She cites the experience of Chinese taxi fleets, where EVs are often working 24/7 and covering 500km a day. In the UK, the way to make the EV transition work is to provide many more chargers, she believes. “At shopping malls, 30% of car park spaces will be chargers. They will be at all workplaces. Once people get used to it, they won’t worry about range.”
To achieve this
Given the large number of Chinese car companies entering the market, is there room for everyone? Li believes there will be consolidation – as that is what has happened before, for example in the cellphone market, where 20-30 brands has shrunk to just 2 or 3. The same will happen with car brands. “BYD is not planning any takeovers but some will disappear. Only some Chinese car companies will survive.”
BYD executive VP Stella Li: "I don't worry about the UK. People will build a habit of using EVs"
CATCH THE BUZZ! CATCH THE BUZZ!
Volkswagen ID.Buzz Style LWB
Mark Bursa
Retro styling has been one of the success stories of the 21st century car industry. Both the Mini range and the new Fiat 500 are modern best-sellers inspired by icons of a previous generation.
Volkswagen was there first – back in 1994 it revealed a concept that became the ‘new Beetle’, and while that car didn’t quite capture the zeitgeist as well as the Mini or 500 did, it got the company searching its back pages for other cars to revive.The obvious one was the Type 2 microbus, beloved of surfin’ dudes the world over. And thus the ID.Buzz was born.
The switch to electrification is what eventually made the reborn microbus a reality. Indeed, VW showed a remarkably similar concept vehicle way back in 2001, though it wasn’t until 2022 that something like it made it on to the production line.
Already the ID.Buzz has created, well, a buzz. It made its
debut at the Professional Driver Car of the Year judging day last August – and our testers loved it, voting it as our 2025 MPV of the Year.
And that was just the original, standard-wheelbase version. Since then VW has brought out a new, stretched version, and this is what we are testing here. And with the seven-seater MPV market dominated by van conversions these days, it’s good to see a purpose-designed people-mover getting good reviews.
ID.Buzz 7-seat features a 250mm increase in length over the standard model.The stretch takes the overall length of the ID.Buzz up to 4,962mm, which transformed a roomy five-seater into an extremely capable seven-seater that is ideal for private hire work.
The stretch is all between the front and rear wheels, which has not only allowed a third row of seats to be fitted – it means the width of the sliding side doors has been increased by 192mm over the SWB version.
This gives much easier entry and exit for rear seat passengers, especially those clambering into the third row. The stretched model also has a decent 306 litres of space behind the third seat row, increasing to 1,340 litres of luggage space with the third row folded away, or removed completely. ID.Buzz converts into a usable van with a 2,469-litre loadspace when the second and third row seats are folded, with a completely flat load area.
Interior trim is practical and stylish rather than opulent, with two-tone leather seat trim that matches the external two-tone paint. The second row is mounted on runners and can slide forward and back.
The second row of seats is a three-person bench seat as standard, though it is possible to specify a six-seat version with two captain’s chairs – allowing conference seating in the back. There’s a small table that fits into the floor runners that you can buy as an add-on too.
Driving position is commanding with good all-round
visibility. The dashboard follows the familiar pattern of most VW electric cars, with a steering column-mounted gear selector (twist it back for ‘R’ and forward for ‘D’. Twist again and you hit the ‘B’ setting, which gives extra brake regeneration, allowing one-pedal driving and giving you an additional hit of range when you slow down. The regeneration is automatic, and adjusts to driving conditions. There’s no adjust function, as on some EVs.
There’s a small central dash screen, but most of the information is found on a large, centrally-mounted 12.9in tablet-style touchscreen. This is menu-driven and can be a bit fiddly, though it’s not as bad as some systems. We really didn’t like the touch-sensitive ‘switches’ to operate heating controls and door mirrors.
The increase in wheelbase allows for the installation of a bigger 86kWh battery (compared to 79kWh on the standard-wheelbase ID.Buzz). This provides a WLTP range of up CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
to 291 miles, much better than most of the van-based MPVs on the market such as Vauxhall Vivaro E. The 86kWh battery is also capable of accepting rapid DC charging at up to 200kW allowing it to be charged from 10-80% in just 26 minutes.
Performance is lively for a big vehicle. With 286PS of power, ID.Buzz LWB accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds. It’s also surprisingly nimble for a large MPV, with an 11.1m turning circle and positive low-speed steering response when manoeuvring around city streets, where it’s in its element.
It's not as refined as a MercedesBenz EQV, however. It’s a heavy car and this makes for a slightly bumpy ride – a softer suspension setting would certainly be a bonus, especially when you’re carrying four or five passengers. But it’s a stable motorway
car and the ride is more consistent than many other EVs.
The ID.Buzz isn’t cheap, with prices starting at £59,935 for Life trim and £64,195 for Style. And while the standard equipment in Life trim is good, with 19in alloy wheels, heated seats and a 360-degree camera, the extras in Style are probably worth the extra money, especially the electric sliding doors and tailgate.
If you have room to fit a home charger, you can bring down the cost of ownership through signing up for Volkswagen Group’s ‘Charge Anytime’ partnership with OVO Energy. This allows customers to charge up for just 7p/kWh at home at any time.
In addition, when Volkswagen Group customers sign up to OVO, they will receive up to 10,000 free miles, followed by 1,000 free miles on their contract anniversary for three further years.
Year
road test: Volkswagen ID.Buzz
VERDICT
The MPV revival starts here! With a number of new, less-obviously vanswith-windows coming to market, there’s a welcome trend back to the purpose-designed 7-seater.
Great news for everyone in the taxi sector, from those doing late-night work carrying groups of friends on a night out, to those taking families to the airport and executive chauffeurs providing a mobile boardroom.
Where does the IC-Buzz sit? It certainly makes a great urban taxi.
The two-tone paintwork could even be part of your corporate ID (though it adds £2,790 to the price). It’s very roomy and practical, with exceptionally easy entry thanks to the massive side doors.
Luggage space is decent if not earth-shattering, though there’s enough flexibility inside to make room for a couple more cases.
It’s a very nimble urban drive for a big car, and perfectly happy on a run. Range is good if not earth-shattering – the same engine and battery delivers better range in the lighter ID.7, for example. But with regen on and a light right foot, 300 urban miles is practical.
It's not cheap, but running costs are decent thanks to VW’s deal with OVO – providing you have home charging.
first drive I
n the competitive world of SUVs, the Jaecoo 7 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) stands out as an attractive option.At first glance, its design hints at Range Rover sophistication, which could spark intrigue among rival businesses – after all, who doesn’t enjoy a good conversation starter about automotive luxury?
To give it its full name, the frontwheel drive Jaecoo 7 SHS (Super Hybrid System) reveals itself as a serious private hire car. It blends luxury and performance with generous space for five people and their luggage, making it ideal for airports runs, business trips or everyday commutes.
Available exclusively in Luxury trim, the cabin exudes comfort and style, featuring a panoramic sunroof that fills the interior with light, paired with plush leatherette seats. The added heat and ventilation in the front chairs allow for an enjoyable driving experience, a welcome feature in places with changeable weather like Cape Town. Hang on –where? Well, we were lucky enough to experience this SUV at an international media drive in South Africa.
The Jaecoo’s technology is also notable. The head-up display maintains vital information at eye level, while electrically adjustable seats and lumbar support provide comfort on long trips. Music lovers will be impressed with the eight-speaker Sony audio system, which delivers rich sound to complement multi-colour ambient lighting.
Regarding convenience and safety, the Jaecoo 7 doesn’t hold back. Tech, such as adaptive cruise control and keyless entry, is designed with usability in mind, and the panoramic camera sorts out any parking stress. The SUV also comes equipped with multiple airbags, automatic emergency braking, blindspot monitoring, a driver monitoring system, lane departure warning, and road sign recognition.
Jaecoo 7’s touchscreen infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto. However, some of the operations on the touchscreen, such as temperature settings and wing mirror adjustments, would benefit from using physical buttons, as it can be tricky accessing these on the move.
The front-wheel drive Jaecoo 7 SHS’s
1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit, paired with an electric motor, delivers a largely commendable driving experience. However, the lack of a fourwheel drive option was particularly felt during our jaunt on a couple of unpaved South African roads. If you want 4WD, you’ll have to stick with the Luxury version of the petrol-only Jaecoo 7.
Also, while the steering offers two modes – light Normal and heavy Sport – there’s room for improvement in terms of feedback during enthusiastic cornering.
Performance-wise, the Jaecoo 7 gets to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, with the CVT transmission providing smooth motoring up to a maximum speed of 112mph. The vehicle’s EV mode, easily accessible via a console switch, offers silent electric propulsion with zero emissions, while the hybrid mode smartly transitions between petrol and electric power.
On our travels along South Africa’s picturesque Garden Route, the front seats provided heaps of room, allowing us to get comfortable in the front without elbows bumping. The rear seats, which feature Isofix points for child seats, easily took three adults.
When it comes to cargo, the 7 impresses with a boot capacity of 412 litres. As an example, that means it’ll fit two suitcases and a carry on bag, or a golf set alongside a couple of briefcases. For larger loads, the back seats fold down in a 60/40 split, providing enough space for items such as display and presentation equipment.
Powered by an 18.3 kWh battery, the Jaecoo 7 offers an all-electric driving range of 56 miles. The combined output is 204PS and 310Nm of torque, paired with a 60-litre fuel tank that grants an impressive total range of 745 miles.
You can confidently embark on significant road trips, as we found while on a safari drive from Cape Town to Addo Elephant National Park – a mere fraction of this SUV’s capabilities.
The Jaecoo 7 SHS is available now, competitively priced at £35,065. It’s comfortable, stylish and functional. The brand will have to fight it out with established rivals such as Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, and VW Tiguan. It must also contend with Chinese EV newcomers such as Skywell BE11 and XPeng G6.
Jaecoo 7 SHS THAT’LL THE THAT’LL THE
Tim Barnes-Clay
THAT’LL BE THE JAECOO THAT’LL BE THE JAECOO
SHS Luxury
DATA
Price OTR £35,065
SPECIFICATION
Powertrain 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol with electric motor
emissions 23g/km (combined) Electric range 56 miles (WLTP)
tank 60 litres Warranty 7 years / 100,000 miles
VED Band B
Unintended consequences can be the curse of good decisions
Last month I had the pleasure of attending the Institute of Licensing (IoL) Taxi Day in York. The day was well organised, interesting and useful, and was mainly attended by licensing officers from across the country.
The agenda was forward-looking and there were useful insights into what actually is coming next and what could be.
The IoL is an increasingly credible organisation that announced this week that it had merged with NALEO (National Association of Licensing Enforcement Officers) which used to deliver training for licensing officers. The IoL has recently appointed a CEO who intends to grow the organisation. I understand that most IoL members are licensing teams from across the country and it appears well funded and successful.
Licensing officers can enhance their knowledge, add IoL events to their CPD (Continuous Professional Development) register and generally stay abreast of the changing environment in licensing. I suppose in local government terms the IoL is what good looks like.
Bad bones and lunatics
At the outset, please let me assure you that I don’t think the people who run the IoL have a bad bone in their body. But a licensing officer-centric view of the industry, policy, legislation and direction of travel may or may not be what the industry needs.
Due to the low participation in the representation of this industry, the vacuum will be filled by others such as the IoL and perhaps others who may not be so well intentioned. Does that matter? Perhaps.
The best-made decisions can often suffer from that old problem of unforeseen consequences. That danger lurks when decisions are made about our industry without us being in the driving seat.
This industry has a great history of letting things just happen and then
Dr Michael Galvin
springing into action with bucket collections, emergency meetings, huffing and puffing about judicial reviews and then just suffering the consequences and the erosion of our industry. The first sign of lunacy is often described as repeatedly doing the same thing but expecting a different outcome. We may not be lunatics, but slow learners would appear to be an appropriate term.
Having often had responsibility for public affairs in businesses I got used to public affairs agencies telling me their job was to keep our company out of the press. The officers of the company often measured success by the number of photos, articles and interviews that mentioned the company. I guess representation is similar.
The best approach lacks excitement
Organisations are not seen as ‘active’ unless they are organising petitions, ranting and raving at meetings about how “we are not going to stand for this” and earnestly, and often embarrassingly, shouting at politicians and/or policymakers about changes that were well publicised and have gone through a perfectly reasonable process.
But from the perspective of achieving the best for their members, surely horizon-scanning, early intervention, and developing credible policies must be a better plan. Then policy makers can pick up and run with our plans, knowing the industry is behind them, providing a more stable and solid environment in which the industry can grow and prosper.
Whether we like it or not the world is run by people who attend meetings. The ones that get invited most often to such meetings have read the nerdy reports, the dusty policies and proposals and go with well prepared key points to steer the meeting toward their
views. Those who advocate a “shoot from the hip, this just needs common sense” approach, delivered with emotional and dramatic lines such as “this will devastate the industry” don’t get asked back.
One could point to a £13.5bn a year industry and smugly observe that we have done okay, do we need to do anymore? Won’t we always be needed? Well surviving and thriving may sound similar but the difference between the two is significant. We have the day-to-day issues; signage, cross border hiring, VAT and the 101 local issues but maybe they will just be forgotten, and we can survive for a few more years.
That won't affect us
Maybe. But what of net zero, autonomous cars and AI? No, no Mike, they won’t impact us we will just carry on as we are, stop worrying. What about the Government’s white paper, Integrated National Transport Strategy for England? Could there be rich pickings in there for our industry? Living on an island or in a bubble has its advantages, one being that you can enjoy the time up until something happens. Once it happens you find you are woefully unprepared for it.
So the exam question is a simple one: is it best to wait until change is here and we are on the back foot or should we be proactive? Should we, as an industry, be looking at what is coming down the line and thinking about whether it could be good for us under certain circumstances or a threat to our very existence?
Let’s take a very high-level look at autonomous cars – who will ensure that they are where customers want or need them? Who will clean, maintain and repair them? Maybe your company could or maybe AI will. The answer won’t be binary.
Who knows if we were to look into the future, we may actually be drivers for change rather attempting to block or more likely reverse development. Who knows? We may be able to move from surviving to thriving.
Make Drivers Grate Again!
What a legend that Tango man is over in the good ol’ US of A (no, A stands for America).
Tariffs! Reciprocal tariffs? Why has it taken so long for some one to implement these necessary and swingeing changes?
If China is charging you a 67% tariff then it makes complete sense to reciprocate by charging them 34%. The lesser rate means you are still being nice, as Trumpy says, “people are saying we’are the nicest government ever” (Hmmm… Ed).
Why don’t we follow suit? Put us right on trend. Anyone who charges us an extortionate fee for something gets one back from us.
We drive the economy
Take the Congestion Charge: currently £15.00 in London if signed up to the pre-pay system - and why wouldn’t you be? Other congestion and clean air zones are available or coming to a town near you soon.
We will reciprocate by charging Transport for London a tariff of £12.50 on entering the zone. Let’s not undervalue the fact that we are bringing in important people to do business or spend in the shops, theatres and restaurants. We literally drive the economy.
Parking charges fluctuate from city to city, town to town. We will demand
Kevin Willis Chirton Grange contact@chirtongrange.co.uk
a percentage back depending on the type of car we drive.
For example; a Skoda Superb with magnetic taxi signs can claim back 40% of costs incurred. This car is serving the public while handily informing others of their vital service.
If, however, you park a Mercedes S500 for an hour then 80% can be claimed due to the obvious eye-candy you have brought to the delight of others less fortunate than yourself.
Blinged-up BMWs and Audis are exempt from the scheme as they didn’t indicate once while driving into town and undertook to cut in while playing hip-hop music too loud.
Stripey jumpers and masks
Mercedes Benz servicing (other franchises are available) – at around £250 per hour these gangsters should be wearing a stripey jumper and a mask. Fine, charge away, because we are coming back at you with our own tariff.
For every hour spent watching you repair something covered by the warranty we will apply a £250 per hour reciprocal tariff. This is to cover lost revenue while waiting for you
to repair something that should not have gone wrong in the first place. Of course we don’t normally charge that amount per hour for doing our job but then neither should you.
More popular than Oasis tickets
After careful consideration we are more than happy to fund the new Silvertown Tunnel, amazing feat of engineering by the way, but we balk at now having to pay for the Blackwall Tunnel given it is the same pipe that opened in 1967 and has had absolutely no improvements made to it.
A tariff of £4 per visit will be levied because we are making the tunnel look more popular than Oasis tickets. Also, much like Oasis tickets, we reserve the right to price surge during busy periods.
Professional drivers can now implement a reciprocal 40% tariff against any coffee shop that charges more than £1.50 for any beverage counted as a white coffee or cup of tea. All the poncy frappy, chappy lattes are exempt due to the fact that none of us are fourteen years old so we really should know better than to order one of these.
Penguin sanctuaries
Airport drop off charges – 100% reciprocal tariff to the airport operators for delivering their clients to them.
A 20% reciprocal tariff will be made on all hairdressers and nail salons who levy a similar charge on us. Obviously, this is entirely made up but it didn’t stop President Trump imposing tariffs on the Heard and McDonald Islands, penguin sanctuaries uninhabited by humans.
These are brave measures, some say the bravest ever and we did that, that was us. A small crash in the market may have to be endured for the next three to four years, wiping billions of pounds off the portfolios of my closest friends. Friends I have kept close for over two months now, but these changes are needed.
This is our opportunity to ‘Make Drivers Grate Again’. It is going to be ‘Tariffic’ I really believe that. More tariffic than before, the best it has been.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Epsom Racecourse
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Epsom Racecourse
Join our Car of the Year
2026 judging panel
e’ll be judging next year’s Cars of the Year - yes, the 2026 winners - on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at our regular venue, Epsom Racecourse in Surrey. It’s a fun day where you will have the chance to drive up to 50 of the latest cars suitablefor private hire and chauffeur work.
We’d love it if you could join us for the day and help us choose our winners. Put the date in your diary and let us know by emailing editor@prodrivermags.com and we’ll be in touch. See you there!
