Rockin' the Road-Ahead: Electric Motors Take the Wheel Over Diesel? Navigating the Skepticism Around E-Taxis
- *
Conversion from diesel to electric in taxis: Understanding the skepticism surrounding e-taxi adoption - "Ditching Diesel for Electricity: Reasons Behind Skepticism Towards Electric Taxis"
The future of cabs has commenced in Hamburg: since this year, solely emission-free taxis have been approved for registration there. Is this a roadmap for the southwest? Opinions among cabbies are divided. And not everywhere are the circumstances as favorable as in the state capital of Stuttgart.
How does the future taxi model operate?
In Hamburg, nearly 700 out of 3000 taxis employ full electric drive. Moreover, there exists a double-digit number of vehicles that operate on hydrogen. According to the Hanseatic city, this sidesteps many thousands of tons of carbon dioxide. Six exclusive fast chargers with twelve charging points are available at taxi stands.
Every new cab must be emission-free. However, this rule does not apply to large and wheelchair-accessible cabs until 2027. Older combustion engines can still occupy the road. The city helps taxi entrepreneurs transition to electric power.
What's the situation in Baden-Württemberg?
The majority of the around 8000 taxis in the state run on diesel or gasoline. In the interest of clean air, the green Ministry of Transport pushes for the switch. A subsidy of 3000 euros is available for each electric cab. The city of Freiburg welcomes the "E-Taxi funding program" but considers an increase in the program necessary.
A commitment following the path of Hamburg is not planned in Baden-Württemberg. The ministry leans on dialogue with cities that aim to raise the quota of electric vehicles using incentives. "We will evaluate how successful this is," a spokesperson stated.
"I am pleased about every cab company that offers climate-friendly mobility with an electric cab," says Minister Winfried Hermann. Cabs are predestined for the switch because they usually drive in the city and can use waiting times and breaks for charging.
What do cabbies in the state say?
Thomas Laschuk, head of the Taxi Association Germany in Baden-Württemberg, is opposed to the switch. The electric cab he possessed for a short while, he swiftly divested. "It was impractical." Passengers do not care if they ride in an electric vehicle. "They want a clean car and a driver who speaks German - and they want to get from A to B quickly and cheaply."
This opinion seems to be shared by most of the approximately 3700 cab companies in the state, estimates Nuri Altun. In contrast to his colleague in Karlsruhe, the chairman of the Taxi Association Baden-Württemberg - the other industry association based in Stuttgart - finds the transition to emission-free taxis agreeable. Everyone should contribute something to improve the climate, he deems.
Altun will soon acquire an electric vehicle. By the end of the year, he estimates that alone in the state capital, 50 to 60 of the approximately 760 cabs will be running on electric power.
What's the problem?
Whether electric or hydrogen car: "I've argued with cab companies to switch for years," says Altun. Many cabbies lack knowledge about electric vehicles. Persuading them of something new is challenging. Furthermore, there is the issue of charging infrastructure and battery range.
His colleague Laschuk reckons: With the diesel cab, he could travel 1000 kilometers. With the electric car, he would experience problems reaching Frankfurt Airport if the power only lasts for 150 kilometers. "Should I say: I have to charge for half an hour first? The customers will show me the finger," says Laschuk. More charging stations do not mitigate the problem for him. "How many charging stations do you want to install for 250 cabs in Karlsruhe?"
What are the incentives?
In addition to state funding, some cities are attempting to encourage a switch. According to Altun, there are three charging points in the state capital of Stuttgart where cabs can quickly, exclusively, and free of charge. These charging points are part of the "E-Taxi Action Plan" of the city. The offer aims to make it easier for cab companies to transition to electric mobility. The location at the taxi stand ensures that the charging points are complimentary.
The stations are intended for long-term use and not meant for occasional, short-term charging. This minimizes the strain on the power grid while providing an efficient charging solution for cab companies.
The cities of Karlsruhe and Freiburg prefer public fast-charging stations scattered across the city, such as the four stations with eight charging points at the south entrance of the main station in Karlsruhe. More public fast-charging stations are planned to be built near taxi stands in major cities.
It's similar in Freiburg, where there is no exclusive charging infrastructure for E-Cabs. The city refers to 561 public charging points for electric vehicles, including many fast-charging stations. Since a switch has high potential for CO2 savings, other options, such as establishing dedicated charging lanes, are being considered.
In Heilbronn, where electric cabs are already in use, the taxi industry has not yet expressed a need for city-provided charging stations. Ideally, the own charging infrastructure should already be planned when purchasing an electric vehicle. "It could indeed be interesting for cab companies to have their own charging infrastructure on the company premises," the automobile club says.
National policies also support the adoption of e-cabs through motor tax exemptions and company car tax benefits.
Overall, local initiatives and national policies combine to create a supportive environment for e-cabs. However, persistent challenges remain, such as battery range and charging infrastructure, which must be addressed to ensure a seamless transition to electric power.
- The community policy in Hamburg requires all new taxis to be emission-free, a move that could potentially serve as a model for other cities in the southwest.
- In Baden-Württemberg, a majority of taxis operate on diesel or gasoline, with the government pushing for a switch towards cleaner options to improve air quality.
- Minister Winfried Hermann, expressing support for the switch to electric taxis, stated that they are ideal for city driving and can use breaks for charging.
- However, some cabbies in Baden-Württemberg are skeptical about the switch, citing practical issues such as battery range and the lack of knowledge about electric vehicles.
- One cabbie, Laschuk, argued that with an electric car, he would face problems reaching Frankfurt Airport if the power only lasts for 150 kilometers, and the installation of more charging stations does not mitigate this problem for him.
- To encourage a switch, some cities, such as Stuttgart, have established exclusive, free, and quick charging points for taxis at taxi stands as part of their "E-Taxi Action Plan."
- The cities of Karlsruhe and Freiburg are planning to build more public fast-charging stations near taxi stands in major cities, while Heilbronn, where electric cabs are already in use, does not yet have a need for city-provided charging stations.
