Scotland's first hybrid engine taxis hailed by ministers

Published on Tuesday 28 July 2009 22:01

THE first hybrid engine taxis in Scotland have been welcomed by ministers.

Calder Cabs, of East Calder in West Lothian, is the country's first to win licences to operate petrol-electric cars.

Its six-strong fleet of Toyota Prius hybrids is expected to significantly cut pollution and emissions.

Hybrid taxis operating in London are claimed to emit less than half the carbon dioxide of traditional black cabs.

The firm's directors, Colin Paton and Andrew Liddle, said: "We are pleased to be able to respond positively to calls from the Scottish Government for businesses to look at their carbon footprint and find ways to reduce this."

Ministers last month announced plans for all public sector vehicles to be electric or have low-carbon emissions by 2020, to help meet their ambitious climate change targets.

A spokesman for transport minister Stewart Stevenson said: "The Scottish Government is committed to achieving widespread adoption of low-carbon vehicles across Scotland and we welcome this move from Calder Cabs."