Taxi service in Milton Keynes announces plans for a fully electric fleet

Taxi firm ViaVan has today announced (October 25) plans to launch the first fully electric fleet in Milton Keynes.

ViaVan has introduced a fully electric Mercedes Benz Vito eTourers to its fleet, and they plan to have over thirty electric more vehicles by 2020.

To help purchase the vehicles, the company was awarded a £544,000 grant from the UK Department for Transport’s (DfT) Office for Low Emission Vehicles, which aims to help cities meet targets for reducing carbon emissions by providing an efficient and sustainable on-demand service for passengers.

Across the UK, cities and public transport authorities are also looking to cut down on the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road in order to eliminate unnecessary emissions.

ViaVan has responded to this with the development of  features into its app which will match multiple passengers into a single vehicle with the use of ‘virtual bus stops.’

ViaVan CEO Chris Snyder said: ‘We are honoured to receive funding from the UK Department for Transport with support from Milton Keynes Council to fully electrify our fleet in Milton Keynes.’

‘Together with Milton Keynes Council, we are excited not only to establish a plan to achieve success for green, on-demand mobility offerings in the city but also to create a model for how the public and private sectors can work together to realise the vision of smart, sustainable public transport for the future.’

George Freeman, minister of state for transport added: ‘We are determined to improve air quality in our towns and cities to reduce the health impact of dirty emissions.’

‘New technologies and innovative transport services such as electric vehicle share are unlocking opportunities, helping meet the demands for cleaner, more convenient travel.’

‘ViaVan’s launch today shows that the industry is taking full advantage of the support on offer from the government for those looking to switch their fleets to electric.’

Photo  Credit – ViaVan