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Morning,

I just wanted to let you know all Merseyside taxi drivers know about an event taking place TODAY at Aintree racecourse.

More details are below - hope this is of interest.

http://www.letstravelwise.org/newsarticle.php?articleID=1870

Taxi drivers across Merseyside are being encouraged to drive greener vehicles and learn more about the latest fuel-efficient technologies as part of a Taxi Demonstration Day at Aintree Racecourse tomorrow (19 October 2010).

Organised by Merseyside Transport Partnership (MTP), all activities on the day are free of charge and as well as providing the opportunity to drive some of the UK’s leading low emission vehicles such as the Electric E7 Taxi, Merseyside Fire and Rescue will be offering a free Infection Control Deep Clean to those who bring their taxis along.

There will be sessions throughout the day where drivers will be able to check their fuel-efficiency on a driving simulator, see how low carbon technologies can save money and learn more about the latest vehicle technologies such as electric, hybrid and biofuels. There will also be an opportunity to input into transport policy for Merseyside as MTP seek views on the 3rd Local Transport Plan which is currently out for consultation.

Sarah Jolly, climate change officer at MTP explains: “Whether you’re the owner of a fleet of taxis or a driver, if you have been hit by rising fuel prices or just wish to do your bit for the environment, then come and find out what technologies are available and take the opportunity to test-drive our low carbon vehicles. Driving an electric vehicle not only reduces air pollution, but running costs are typically between 1.5p/km and 3p/km and require less maintenance work than a diesel engine, so it can be a smart choice financially.

“We are currently looking into how we can support those taxi drivers who want to invest in green technology, such as providing grants for low emission technologies. At the moment, the Government is considering making grants available and it would be good to get input from drivers and fleet managers on what technologies they’d be interested in and how they think they would use a fund if it was available.”