THERE is currently only one taxi driver in Southend using a fully electric car, and he is calling for more help from the Council.

Gavin, from Southend, who recently made the transition to becoming the only electric taxi driver in the town, told the Echo that Southend Council are not doing enough to help him and others make the jump to electric taxis.

The 47-year-old, said: “It’s an absolute nightmare at the moment.

“There’s too many other cars using the charging points. There’s always a queue.

“The machines sometimes break.

“Every day I’m using the charge from the day before.

“I’ve tried to change over, but they’re not helping me.

“The council are showing me a complete disregard.”

Earlier last week, Southend Council announced that they are looking for up to fifty taxi drivers to take part in a study to help decide where four new rapid recharge points for electric taxis will be installed.

The four rapid electric chargers will be for the exclusive use of taxis, making it easier and more viable for taxis to be electric and help to improve air quality in and around the town.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of the council, said: “Taxi drivers need help and support to embrace the change to low emissions vehicles and particularly access to charging infrastructure, and I am pleased that this important piece of work is progressing.

“We need to know where best to put the four rapid chargers, and so consultation with the taxi trade has already begun.

“However, we are also seeking up to fifty volunteers to have a device fitted to their taxis for a month so that we can analyse the activity and identify the best locations for the chargers. These drivers will also receive a report showing how suitable electric vehicles would be for them and the savings they could make in their running costs.

“The telematics device that would be installed tracks movements but is completely anonymised and will not show the council specific car or driver details.

“The study is due to start this month, so that we can choose locations, and then procure and install the chargers in the first half of 2020.”

Carole Mulroney, councillor for environment and planning, added: “Promoting better air quality for future generations is a priority for this administration and encouraging sustainable transport is one part of the puzzle. Taxis are relatively high mileage users, and therefore have specific charging needs and dedicated infrastructure to ensure they are able to top up their batteries.

“We hope that installing more rapid rechargers will make it easier for taxi drivers to consider making the switch.”

But is this enough?

Gavin added that taxi drivers know that his charge doesn’t last a whole day’s work. He said: “Other drivers wait for me to say no to passengers because they know I can’t go the distance.

“They did promise me a charger nearby but that has not happened.

“If you could charge your car outside your home, it would save everyone money.

“Electric taxis are a really good money saving device, as well as being good for the environment.”

Alongside Southend Council’s electric taxi project, councillors are also looking to improve public charging infrastructure, to add to the 14 public charge points currently available.

External funding has been gained that should see the installation of least another 90 public charge points in the first few months of 2020 and another 80 more points through street lights is being investigated.

Kevin Buck, Southend councillor for Prittlewell ward, who has spoken out before about electric vehicles in the town, stated that charging points in the town needs addressing. The shadow councillor for highways and transport, said: “The fact that we have only one rapid charge point in the town needs addressing immediately.

“We’re lagging behind our European neighbours.

“I’m constantly being approached by residents and members of the community about this issue.

“There simply are not enough rapid charging points.

“I will keep raising awareness of this. I’ve written to Ron Woodley and Glynn Jones.”

Taxi drivers interested in taking part in the study should contact Elo Knight, the council’s energy officer on 01702 212709 by Monday October 14.