Taxi drivers back council’s proposal to change emissions policy

12 May 2026

Taxi and private hire vehicle drivers have welcomed proposals from West Suffolk Council to change part of its licensing emissions policy.

Under its current policy, West Suffolk Council requires all new taxis or private hire vehicles to be less than five years old.

But on Tuesday the council’s Cabinet will consider recommendations to replace that part of its policy with a recognised emissions standard

West Suffolk Council wrote to drivers as part of a public consultation on the move in early March. More than 84 per cent of those who responded were in favour of the change.

The proposal would instead require new taxis and private hire vehicles to meet at least EU 6 which limits the release of pollutants like Nitrogen Dioxide and particulates. The new West Suffolk policy would also allow for the higher EU 7 standard which has recently been introduced.

The existing policy aimed to keep higher polluting vehicles out of the fleet and has been in place since 2022. But since then, the Department for Transport (DfT) has issued guidance stating that vehicle emissions rather than vehicle age should be the determining factor for licensing authorities such as West Suffolk.

Cllr Gerald Kelly, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory said: “Taxis and private hire drivers play an important role in supporting the West Suffolk economy and the everyday needs of residents in our communities. At the same time, it is vital that we continue to tackle air pollution and the impact that it can have on residents living in our area. The feedback shows that the vast majority of drivers in our fleet who responded are in favour changing to an emissions standard for new vehicles and I will be recommending this change to my Cabinet colleagues next week.”

Around 90 per cent of the taxi and private hire vehicles in West Suffolk already meet Euro 6 emissions standards. That represents around 520 vehicles that will already be compliant if the new standard is introduced from 1 July as recommended.

The remaining 10 per cent would not need to be replaced – the policy only relates to new vehicles joining the fleet. The council has already removed the upper age limit for taxi and private hire vehicles and instead manages emission levels through vehicle testing in line with the DfT guidance.

The consultation also sought the views of drivers about phasing in the EU6 standard for when drivers renew their vehicle licence each year. While around two thirds of those responding backed this change to be implemented immediately or in 2027, it is recognised that this will have a cost impact on the 10 per cent of the fleet (approximately 58 vehicles) that aren’t already at EU 6 or above. As such no implementation date for this is being proposed at this time. The council will instead carry out further engagement with the trade.
 

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