Electric taxis introduced in Amsterdam

Press release, 27 May 2011

On Friday, 27 May, Amsterdam taxi centre TCA began operating ten electric taxis in the city. This is the first step of developments in line with the new air quality regulations presented by the City of Amsterdam a week earlier. Amsterdam is focusing on business travellers that make frequent journeys. Taxis produce nearly 35 times more pollution than the average private car and introducing electric taxis is a relatively inexpensive way of effectively reducing pollution.

Ten electric taxis

The TCA (Taxicentrale Amsterdam) is now renting five electric Fiat Doblos from Amsterdam-based lease company Truckland Zero to use as taxis. Local businessman Bas Vos is also renting out five English electric taxis to TCA drivers. The City of Amsterdam financed part of the cost of purchasing the taxis through a subsidy that is available for electric transport. The electric taxis can be recharged at special taxi charging points located throughout the city or at regular charging points.

Effective means of reducing pollution

Alderperson Eric Wiebes commented on the developments, saying: “The reappraisal of the air quality regulations revealed that reducing the pollution caused by taxis that travel extensively in the city is an effective means of improving air quality in Amsterdam. As with other matters affecting the city, the Amsterdam College is committed to achieving the maximum effect per euro spent. The introduction of the first ten electric taxis is a good start. I am particularly pleased that it’s the taxi companies themselves that are taking the initiative.”

Nitrogen dioxide

Around 2,500 taxis are active in Amsterdam during the working week and this number rises at the weekend. The average taxi contributes nearly 35 times more to the nitrogen dioxide concentration in the city than the average private car. This is because they travel primarily within the city boundary and run on diesel. Diesel cars produce twice as much nitrogen dioxide as petrol cars.

European standards

Poor air quality has been linked to particulate pollution health problems and premature death, but this is not the only reason why improving air quality in Amsterdam is so important. Amsterdam is required to meet the European standards for air quality by 2015. If the city fails to do so, a building freeze may come into effect. It is currently uncertain whether Amsterdam will meet the standard for nitrogen dioxide by 2015.

Respect for the city

TCA director Richard van der Veen: “We are starting with ten taxis but hope to increase the number in the near future. Nowadays, consumers are more critical than ever before, and more conscious of the decisions they make - and this is also the case with regard to sustainable taxi transport.  Amsterdam is a beautiful city and deserves that the largest taxi centre in the Netherlands treats it with the respect.”

Spacious cars

Bas Vos from Holland-4-Electric was previously a GP and director at the TCA. "When I became a director at TCA in 2006, I was faced with nearly 2,000 drivers that, with 1,200 cars, were heavy fuel users. The electric taxis are large enough to carry several people, are suitable for disabled passengers and are a good means of tackling the air pollution problem.”

Plans for the near future

The City of Amsterdam is striving to have 450 electric taxis active in the city in 2015. The TCA and Holland-4-Electric also expect the number of electric taxis used in Amsterdam to increase in the years ahead.

City of Amsterdam Press Office, 27 May 2011