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London Assembly’s Elly Baker warns TfL electric vehicle plans must address driver costs
Labour’s transport spokesperson on the London Assembly has urged Transport for London (TfL) to account for private hire drivers’ costs and working conditions as it consults on plans to require new PHVs to be fully electric.
Assembly Member Elly Baker said the move could support cleaner air, but warned that drivers must be able to afford the transition. “Moving towards fully electric private hire vehicles is an important step towards cleaner air in London. But this transition must work for drivers too,” she said.
TfL’s proposals would require most PHVs new to London licensing to be fully electric from July 2028, with the requirement for wheelchair accessible PHVs beginning in July 2030. The consultation also includes other proposed changes to vehicle licensing.
Baker said app-based drivers were already under pressure on earnings, while operators had significant influence over fares and competition. She argued the cost of changing vehicles could add to those pressures, alongside the price of charging and limited access to charging infrastructure.
“Switching to a fully electric vehicle is also a major investment, and the cost of charging and lack of infrastructure create barriers,” Baker said. “Drivers living in flats, in particular, might struggle to access charging.”
She called on TfL to expand charging provision and work with the industry on affordability. “TfL must increase their ambition to provide the charging infrastructure drivers need and work with the industry to make this transition affordable,” she said.
The issue of charging access could affect drivers’ operating costs and the practicality of meeting the proposed deadlines. Drivers without off-street parking may have to rely on public charging, although Baker’s response did not set out specific estimates for the additional costs or infrastructure required.
Baker also called for private hire drivers to be recognised as part of London’s transport workforce and for TfL to consider how their earnings could be protected before advancing the changes. She linked that concern to the potential arrival of robotaxis, saying the prospect of autonomous vehicles on London’s streets could threaten drivers’ livelihoods.
“Private hire drivers are essential to London’s transport network, yet they are not properly recognised as part of our transport workforce,” she said.
“TfL must listen to drivers and consider further how to protect earnings before pressing ahead with these changes, especially with the prospect of robotaxis on our streets threatening livelihoods.”
Baker concluded: “This consultation is a chance to get it right.”
