Taxi companies appear to be thriving in the West Midlands, despite the advent of disruptive smartphone app Uber.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics show there were 445 taxi businesses operating in this region in 2018.

The figure includes cab hire, taxi cab services and private hire cars as well as chauffeur-driven services and car rental that comes with a driver.

It is not a count of individual drivers - just the companies they work for - and therefore excludes black cabs and Uber drivers.

The number is up from 435 such businesses in 2015 - the year that Uber first came to Birmingham.

Nationally, Uber appears to have made little impact on the number of taxi companies in operation - although experts warn the figures don't tell the full story.

There were 7,885 taxi companies in businesses across the UK in 2018 - down slightly from 7,950 in 2017, but up from 6,720 in 2012.

Donna Short, director of the National Private Hire Association, said: "Uber has made a considerable impact on the taxi trade.

"Their business model is very attractive, particularly to younger people, which has meant that existing companies have had to up their game.

"Collectively, taxi companies have had to develop their own apps, start using social media, invest in technology and give more consideration to training.

https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/west-midlands-taxi-companies-thriving-16396856
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 Toyota finally decided to go all-electric from 2020 on with a new BEV platform and six global BEV models including crossovers, SUVs and more.

Toyota, after years of neglecting of all-electric cars, announced today a huge offensive with a new platform, global models of various type as well as ultra-compact and walking area BEVs.

The new plan envisions rollout of all-electric vehicles from 2020 (starting with Toyota C-HR BEV and Toyota IZOA BEV twins in China) and Toyota says that by 2025, all models to have electrified version (at least hybrid).

In the early 2020s, Toyota would like to introduce 10 BEV models worldwide, including six global models, based on e-TNGA platform.

If we look at the general plan, you can notice however that expected BEV sales are low compared to hybrid and plug-in hybrid share. Interestingly, Toyota doesn't see much market share for hydrogen fuel cell cars by 2050 either.

    "Much work lies ahead to achieve the popularization of BEVs. Specifically, we will be focusing on vehicle development and the stable supply, improved durability, and reuse of batteries.

    We are steadily preparing a framework to respond thoroughly to the challenge, putting all the pieces in place, including the creation of new business models.

    Working in an extensive and open manner, we are collaborating with partners as we strive to contribute to a better society."

https://insideevs.com/news/353600/toyota-six-global-bevs/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
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