TfL consults on all-electric minicab fleet by 2028
New proposals aim to significantly cut harmful emissions from private hire vehicles across the capital.
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Transport for London (TfL) has initiated a public consultation regarding new regulations that would mandate all newly licensed minicabs to be fully electric by 2028. The proposals are designed to reduce air pollution from the city's private hire vehicle fleet.
Under the proposed changes, petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles would no longer be eligible for new private hire licences starting in 2028. TfL forecasts that these measures could lead to a nine per cent reduction in harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from private hire vehicles within the first decade. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are also projected to decrease by 35 per cent over the same period.
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Extended Timeline for Accessible Vehicles
Vehicles designated as wheelchair-accessible will be granted an extended deadline, with the requirement to switch to fully electric models applying from July 2030. TfL estimates that over an 18-year period, the combined reduction in CO2 and NOx emissions could reach as high as 97 per cent.
As of September, 35.5 per cent of the 94,661 private hire vehicles licensed by TfL were fully electric. Another 35.2 per cent were plug-in hybrids, which can still produce exhaust emissions. TfL stated that accelerating the adoption of fully electric vehicles is essential for combating air pollution, including NOx, which is known to exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma.
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Additional Licensing Rule Changes
Beyond the electric vehicle mandate, TfL is also proposing stricter licensing rules from March 2027. One key change would limit the age of licensed private hire vehicles to 10 years. Drivers would also have one year to renew an expired taxi or private hire vehicle licence, a reduction from the current two-year period. Following this, the vehicle would be subject to new application requirements.
TfL also intends to cease approving new systems for converting vehicles to run on alternative fuels like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG), as well as new exhaust emission-reduction systems. Christina Calderato, Director of Strategy at TfL, highlighted the dual role of private hire services, providing essential transport while contributing to the city's sustainability goals. She stated that the consultation aims to build on existing progress and drive the transition to a zero-emission fleet.
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, added that London's private hire drivers have been proactive in adopting zero-emission capable technology, with over 70 per cent of their vehicles now meeting this standard. He encouraged public participation in the consultation to support the creation of a cleaner, more sustainable London.
How to Participate
The consultation period for these proposed changes is open until 11.59pm on Wednesday, December 2.
Questions this report answers
+When would all newly licensed minicabs need to be fully electric?
Transport for London is consulting on plans to require all newly licensed minicabs to be fully electric from 2028. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles will have an additional two years, until July 2030, to meet this requirement.
+What are the expected environmental benefits of these proposals?
TfL estimates that the proposals could cut harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from private hire vehicles by nine per cent in the first decade. Over 18 years, CO2 and NOx emissions could fall by as much as 97 per cent.
+How many minicabs are currently fully electric in London?
As of September, 35.5 per cent of the 94,661 private hire vehicles licensed by Transport for London were fully electric. An additional 35.2 per cent were plug-in hybrids.
+Until when can people provide feedback on these plans?
The public consultation on Transport for London's proposals for electric minicabs is open until 11.59pm on Wednesday, December 2. Residents and stakeholders can submit their views before this deadline.
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