Morocco Launches Green Initiative to Modernize Taxi Fleet, Reduce Emissions

Responding to a written question from MP Mustapha Dahmani, coordinator of the parliamentary group for Social Justice in the House of Councillors, on "the adoption of eco-friendly cars in the taxi fleet," Abdelouafi Laftit explained that "the program to support the renewal of the taxi fleet, in its two categories, small and large, aims, in addition to the modernization of the vehicle fleet used as taxis and the improvement of the quality of services offered to users of this type of transport, to contribute to the reduction of polluting gas emissions generated by the mobility of the taxi fleet." About 60,000 vehicles used as taxis have been renewed, or more than 77% of the national taxi fleet, with the replacement of old vehicles by vehicles equipped with modern engines consuming about 40% less fuel as part of this program, the minister specified. This measure "has contributed significantly to reducing the negative environmental impacts resulting from the use of old taxis and to creating the necessary conditions for their preservation by reducing the polluting gas emissions generated by the activity of these cars and contributing to the improvement of road safety indicators," he assured.

According to Laftit, the preference of professionals for the use of internal combustion engine vehicles as taxis "is due to the high cost of eco-friendly cars, the lack of sufficient incentives from companies marketing this type of vehicle for their use for this purpose, as well as the constraints related to the availability of the necessary infrastructure for the use of electric cars, and the limited autonomy of electric engines compared to internal combustion engines." He was keen to commend the positive commitment of his department in initiatives aimed at encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly vehicles in the transport sector in general and in the taxi fleet in particular, and specified that this issue remains linked to public orientations and policies and to the programs adopted in this regard, as well as to the commitment of professionals and other stakeholders involved. For the minister, it is necessary "to provide an appropriate offer from manufacturers and dealers of this type of vehicle, as well as the necessary infrastructure to support the ambitious objectives set by our country in terms of reducing polluting gas emissions contributing to global warming."