It’s ‘VITAL’ taxi fleet continues to reduce emissions: Extensions to taxi age limits remain unlikely

Extensions to existing diesel taxi age limits are unlikely as the Mayor of London says it ‘remains vital’ that the capital’s taxi fleet continues to reduce emissions.

The news will come as a bitter blow for cabbies as taxi drivers have struggled financially during the pandemic as a result of various coronavirus restrictions.

According to LTDA TAXI Newspaper, fleet owners are now also struggling to obtain the finance needed from banks to make investment in new electric taxis.

Transport for London (TfL) released its annual licensing figures showing the critical impact COVID has had on the taxi industry. At the start of the pandemic in April 2020 18,504 taxis were licensed in the capital. Fast forward 12 months and only 13,461 cabs are now licensed.

At last week’s Mayor’s Question Time session at City Hall the Mayor was asked whether he planned to help struggling cabbies by extending the age limits on the remaining diesel taxis licensed in London.

Assembly Member Keith Prince asked the Mayor of London: “If you recognise that forcing black cab drivers to switch to an electric vehicle at this time would be unreasonable, will you extend taxi age limits until London is further into its economic recovery?”

Sadiq Khan responded: “I have taken action to tackle toxic air pollution in London, which remains the biggest environmental risk to the health of all Londoners.

“It harms our lungs, worsens chronic illnesses such as asthma, lung and heart disease, and puts the health of our children at risk. Furthermore, emerging evidence has linked air pollution with an increased vulnerability to the most severe health impacts of COVID-19.

“Given this, it remains vital that we continue to reduce emissions from the taxi fleet. A reduction in emissions from taxis is a significant part of achieving legal pollution limits. The phased approach to diesel taxi age limits, alongside support for delicensing and the uptake of Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) taxis, means we are back on track to meet the 2025 legal requirement to reduce NOx emissions from taxis by 65 per cent compared to 2013 levels.

“As described in my response (to a previous question), I have made available a significant support package for drivers.”