The 3rd International IRU Taxi Forum to focus on latest car technologies and innovative industry practices that make taxi services even greener.

Geneva – Prior to the United Nations COP15 Climate Change Conference, the 3rd International IRU Taxi Forum on “Taxis for clean air” will be held in Copenhagen on 9 October 2009. Participants will explore the potential and opportunities of latest car technologies and innovative industry practices for greener taxi services, with the view to expedite the introduction of the greenest vehicles and best industry practices to achieve sustainable mobility for all.

The President of the IRU Taxi Group, Hubert Andela, said, “The taxi industry is ready and willing to contribute to cleaner air in our cities by implementing the best and greenest technologies and fuels. It simply makes sense, as authorities, business and customers alike show increased concerns about the ecological footprint of their travels. However, a lot remains to be done by our partners from the manufacturing industry and fuel distributors. But above all, Governments should provide incentives to operators to use alternative fuels as well as greener vehicles to allow for their quicker penetration into the taxi market, especially in these times of economic crisis.”

According to a recent IRU survey, the taxi industry is investing substantially in greener fleets and operational solutions. In countries such as Sweden, Switzerland and Norway, hybrid cars already represent at least 3% of the market share, and an important number of taxis are running on alternative fuels in Brazil (86%), Bulgaria (70%), Germany (22%) or Sweden (18%).

Organised in partnership with the IRU’s Danish Member Association, Dansk Taxi Rad (DTR), the 3rd International Taxi Forum will feature leading representatives of the taxi industry, car manufacturers, electric vehicle promoters and intergovernmental organisations, who will address more than 100 participants from the taxi industry and national and local authorities in Europe and beyond.

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See the programme of the 3rd International IRU Taxi Forum and register online now

See factsheet on
• Market penetration of fuels other than diesel and petrol in the taxi industry

• Market penetration of hybrid cars in the taxi industry

Press contact: Juliette Ebélé, +41 22 918 27 07, Press@iru.org