A TAXI company based in Tufnell Park has launched an initiative which will see its 3,000 strong fleet of cars go green.

The Radio Taxis Group cars will use a biofuel that will reduce carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions.

The move was heralded by Ken Livingstone at a City Hall launch last week, when the mayor said he also wanted to see black cabs go green.

He said: "I congratulate Radio Taxis' commitment to go a step further and introduce a greener fuel in their vehicles.

"By tackling carbon emissions in this way Radio Taxis are demonstrating that forward thinking businesses have an important role to play in tackling climate change, and I hope that other businesses will take their lead.

"New regulations brought in this year mean that the capital's 20,000 black cabs must now meet strict emission standards."

The Radio Taxis Group has a fleet of cars that includes chauffeur-driven executive cars, private hire vehicles and taxis.

The Station Road based company was founded in 1953 and has become the first carbon neutral transport provider.

The taxis will use E3, a fuel especially created for use in taxis.

The combined impact of reduced CO2 emissions and improved mileage per gallon means the new fuel could deliver a fleet-wide cut of 3,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Managing director Andrew Herbert said: "Radio Taxis Group was the world's first ground transport fleet to go carbon neutral. But today we recognise that offset is not enough, the challenge is to deliver real and significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

"The roll-out of this new biofuel means that we will be driving down CO2 emissions, driving down particulate emissions and, with fuel economy gains, driving down costs for our drivers.

"Ultimately we want to have fuel that doesn't damage the atmosphere at all. There is no change to the vehicles and we've got our own tanks that drivers can go and fill up with whenever they want."

And cab driver Phil Caston is already impressed by the smooth running of his car

He said: "My cab is running much better. It is more responsive and I feel much better about driving with biofuel."

The new taxis can be distinguished by a green high visibility reflector on their front window screen.

http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/content/camden/hamhigh/news/story.aspx?brand=NorthLondon24&category=Newshamhigh&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newshamhigh&itemid=WeED09%20Aug%202007%2015%3A28%3A13%3A310