Extract from Scottish Parliament General Question Time: Taxis (Diesel to LPG Conversion) - April 26

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to encourage more diesel taxi owners to convert to liquefied petroleum gas. (S5O-02019)

Although no specific support is currently available for LPG taxi conversions, the Scottish Government provides loans to replace older hackney cabs with new, efficient Euro 6 diesel or electric models to reduce harmful emissions.

The City of Edinburgh Council has acted positively in relation to LPG conversions by introducing the incentive of a four-year licence extension for those who convert their taxis and private hire vehicles to LPG. However, other council areas, including Glasgow, which the minister represents, are taking a different approach.

I would like to hear a question.

Will the minister look at how conversions can be mandated through the national low emission framework?

I am interested in a range of technologies. I will certainly reflect on what Miles Briggs said—I also saw his press release from a couple of weeks ago. There are some caveats to set out. Although LPG conversion will often see a reduction in NOx—nitrogen oxide—and particulate matter, there is evidence, particularly from the Birmingham study, that it does not have the same reduction effect on carbon oxide and greenhouse gas emissions; the effect can be marginal and, in fact, there can be an increase in levels of carbon monoxide in LPG-converted taxis.

We have to make sure that we take an evidence-based approach, but the points that Miles Briggs made are good and I will reflect on them.

The minister may be aware of taxi firms in Dundee and London that have only electric vehicles now. Will he consider speaking to local authorities about the idea of having EV-only taxi ranks, charging facilities, and so on, to try to deliver the climate change ambitions in the climate change plan?

Yes, I certainly will. Dundee is streets ahead of any other local authority when it comes to having an EV taxi fleet. The member knows that I am up in Orkney tomorrow and I am more than happy to have that conversation with the local authority area, which is of course ploughing ahead with its own ambitions on electric vehicles.