ELECTRIFYING PROGRESS: FREENOW annual report details the successes and challenges of moving to greener taxis in the UK
- Perry Richardson
- 46 minutes ago
- 3 min read
FREENOW’s recently released 2024 Sustainability Report outlines several developments and challenges related to electrifying the taxi and private hire sector in the UK. With London at the centre of progress and other cities such as Brighton and Edinburgh facing slower uptake, the report gives a clearer picture of regional disparities and the support mechanisms being deployed to drive change by the app firm.
In London, FREENOW has seen a stronger shift towards electrified mobility. According to the report, fully electrified vehicles accounted for 20% of all FREENOW rides in the capital in 2024. Partially electrified vehicles made up 72%, leaving only 8% of rides using ICE vehicles. This places London ahead of other UK cities in terms of overall vehicle electrification on the FREENOW platform.
The availability of electric black cabs and growing consumer preference for lower-emission transport options are key factors. FREENOW drivers in London have also benefited from charging discounts and home charging incentives introduced through industry partnerships. To address charging barriers, FREENOW partnered with bp pulse in early 2024. The deal gave UK drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go charging rates, covering fast, rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers across the bp pulse network.
From September 2024, an additional partnership with energy firm OVO was rolled out. This included access to cheaper home charging at 7p/kWh, public charging discounts, and up to 2,800 free miles through OVO’s Charge Anytime scheme. The collaboration also offered discounted EV chargers and solar panel options.
So far, more than 230 FREENOW drivers in the UK have made use of these benefits, helping them overcome one of the primary barriers to EV adoption: affordable and reliable charging access.
Challenges in Brighton and Edinburgh
Outside London, progress is mixed. In Brighton and Edinburgh, FREENOW currently operates taxi-only services, and the share of fully electrified vehicles remains low. According to the report, both cities had zero fully electrified vehicles on the platform in 2024.
However, a high share of partially electrified vehicles—mainly range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs)—was observed. In Brighton, 72% of rides used these vehicles, with the remaining 28% using ICE vehicles. Edinburgh displayed similar numbers, with 71% of rides using REEVs. The limited uptake of fully electric models in these cities is attributed to supply issues and vehicle suitability. The report highlights that all-electric models appropriate for the demands of taxi work remain unavailable or unaffordable for many drivers.
Danny O’Gorman, General Manager UK at FREENOW, said: “The UK is making real progress in electrifying urban transport. In London alone, 78% of all vehicles on the FREENOW platform are electrified, and we continue to offer passengers the option to travel with an electrified black cab in the app. We’re also seeing customers actively choose greener journeys as 72% of all rides in 2024 were taken in partially electrified vehicles, and 8% were in fully electric ones.
“Our partnerships with bp pulse and OVO are already helping hundreds of taxi drivers cut charging costs, which is crucial for tackling one of the biggest barriers to making the switch to electric. However, the government must do more by exploring alternatives to support drivers, such as introducing a new interest-free loan scheme for drivers purchasing new taxis. This would replicate the success of Scotland’s Switched On Taxis Loan programme, aiding drivers in securing a new or used purpose-built electric black cab. From our side, we will continue to work closely with cities, regulators, and partners to help shape a more sustainable transport future across the UK.”
