In 2020, private hire vehicles needed to be able to run on zero emissions, if it was the first time they had been licenced in London or if the vehicle was less than a year and a half old.
Transport for London (TfL) set new rules for London that prevents the use of any new greenhouse gas emitting private hire vehicles.
On Sunday the 1st of January, Transport for London (TfL) set new rules for London that prevents the use of any new greenhouse gas emitting private hire vehicles. All private hire vehicles, including taxis, must be able to operate with zero emissions. These vehicles include electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid EVs and hydrogen vehicles.
The new rule has meant that 25% of the private hire vehicles that operate in Greater London now run with zero emissions. As London works towards its net zero target for 2030, this new rule should increase this percentage significantly.
The TfL have promised that as the amount of EVs increase so will the amount of charging stations as 40,000 more charging points, added to the 11,000 already in Greater London, will be installed by 2030.
Uber, a worldwide ride requesting service, have already put initiatives in place to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road in London. Under its ‘Uber Green’ scheme, drivers who opt for an electric vehicle will receive a higher commission for each journey they complete.
