News

Ford reveals new all-electric E-Tourneo Courier ahead of 2024 launch

16 May 2023, 08:54

Ford has released a new compact electric MPV called the E‑Tourneo Courier. The five-seat vehicle is the latest fruit of Ford’s alliance with Volkswagen on EVs. Ford has committed to offering 10 EV models in Europe by 2024, as it targets zero emissions for…

Competition watchdog to grill supermarkets over petrol and diesel price ‘profiteering’

16 May 2023, 08:52

Petrol and diesel prices are unnecessarily high, according to the UK competition watchdog. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said oil companies could not blame global factors such as the war in Ukraine for high prices, and accused retailers of taking bigger margins than…

LEVC reveals next-generation all-electric London black cab platform

10 May 2023, 22:17

The next-generation LEVC London black taxi will be a fully-electric vehicle, the company has announced. LEVC has released images of its next-generation all-electric platform, which will replace the current LEVC series hybrid TX taxi and VN5 van models in the next, which use a…

Osprey Charging Network adds 150kW charge points in Hull and Bridgend

10 May 2023, 22:16

Hull and Bridgend are the latest locations to receive new Osprey rapid electric vehicle charge points as part of the operator’s ambitious plans to have more than 1,000 rapid chargers in operation by the end of 2023. In Bridgend, the new public charging sites…

Inverclyde Council approves CCTV cameras following pressure from operators

10 May 2023, 22:14

Inverclyde Council has reversed a ban on in-cab CCTV cameras following a series of attacks on drivers in the area. In a landmark decision, councillors voted unanimously to allow operators to have cameras in their cabs, following pressure from local trade bodies and unions.…

Zest wins TfL contract to set up electric charging points on public land in London

10 May 2023, 22:13

Transport for London has awarded electric vehicle infrastructure provider Zest a contract to roll out 39 new EV charging bays by the end of 2024. The charge points will be built on 24 sites in south and south-west London, The 39 new bays will…

ComCab takeover helps Addison Lee double profits in 2021-22 financial year

4 May 2023, 20:22

Addison Lee doubled its profits in the 2021-22 financial year, despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and a chronic shortage of private hire drivers. The business achieved an adjusted EBITDA of £19.1 million, up from £7.9m the previous year, on a turnover of…

Eddie Townson (1952-2023)

3 May 2023, 17:00

ProDriver magazine is saddened to hear of the death of Edward (Eddie) Townson over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Eddie was a well-known and popular figure in the private hire industry, having served as Chairman of the Private Hire Board. Eddie was instrumental in securing…

New EV charging trade body ChargeUK pledges to double UK network by year end

28 April 2023, 17:16

Eighteen of the biggest electric vehicle charging companies have joined forces to form a new UK trade association called ChargeUK, with a goal of doubling the size of the charging network by the end of 2023. ChargeUK, backed by major players including BP Pulse,…

Global taxi market recovering, but bookings down on 2019, says Taxi Butler report

28 April 2023, 16:55

Global taxi and private hire bookings are recovering month-on-month, but are still some way below peak-pre-pandemic 2019 levels, according to a new report from Amsterdam based dispatch systems supplier Taxi Butler. But the Global Taxi Booking Industry Report showed that Q1 2023 experienced a…