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Going green: Phoenix Taxis to create 100 new jobs as EV expansion accelerates

Phoenix Taxis has revealed plans to extend its electric vehicle (EV) network in the North East, adding a further 50 electric cars to its fleet.

MD Alex Hurst believes the addition will boost the company’s turnover by half a million pounds and create 100 jobs in the next two years, as well as cementing the company’s standing as the country’s largest green taxi firm.

A key pillar in the expansion plans will feature further installation of charger points, which can charge vehicles within half an hour, around the North East.

After setting up two rapid charger points at Newcastle University, Phoenix is now seeking to partner up with at least five more hosts in the region.

Alex, who in the last three years has transformed Phoenix from a LPG-powered business turning over £1.6m to a £3.8m company, said: “The idea is that as well as extending the EV network so our drivers can re-charge further afield, we can also offer a priority service for the host organisations and we will open up the use of the charge points for their staff as well.

“This is a fantastic way for us to support businesses wishing to reduce carbon emissions and helping them achieve Carbon Management Plan and Travel Plan targets.”

Phoenix will also send carbon saving reports to the participating organisations which will detail the amount of carbon saved through using their services.

Rebecca Allen, Sustainability Officer at Newcastle University, commented: “The use of Phoenix Taxis Electric Vehicles (EVs) for staff business travel has really helped assist our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and make in-roads towards achieving our longer-term Carbon Management Plan and Travel Plan targets.”

Alex added: “In our business, being green isn’t something that is mandatory, but it is something that we feel passionately about and is important to us.

“Being green is about improving the environment, rather than purely business needs. This is just the start for us, we want to be totally electric by 2018.”

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