Transport for London is consulting on a rule that a private hire vehicle licensed in London for the first time would have to be fully electric from 2028. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles would have until July 2030.
The Evening Standard reported the consultation on 22 October 2026. It is not a decision. Responses are open until 11.59pm on Wednesday 2 December 2026. Licensing consultations are listed on TfL's notices page.
What would change
Petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles would no longer be accepted for a new private hire licence from 2028. A vehicle that is already licensed is not, on these proposals, forced off the road on that date.
From March 2027, TfL also proposes that a private hire vehicle could not remain licensed once it is 10 years old. The current rule is narrower. TfL already requires a private hire vehicle to be no older than 10 years at the point it is re-licensed, and a vehicle licensed for the first time from 1 January 2023 must be zero-emission capable and Euro 6. Zero-emission capable includes a plug-in hybrid that can run for a set distance with no exhaust. Fully electric does not.
An expired taxi or private hire vehicle licence would have to be renewed within 12 months, down from two years. After that it would be treated as a new application and would have to meet the rules then in force.
TfL would also stop approving new conversions to liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas, and new systems fitted to cut exhaust emissions.
The fleet now
TfL's September figures, reported by the Standard, put the licensed private hire fleet at 94,661 vehicles. Of those, 35.5 per cent are fully electric and 35.2 per cent are plug-in hybrids. More than 70 per cent are zero-emission capable, so many still have a petrol or diesel engine.
TfL estimates the changes could cut nitrogen oxide emissions from private hire vehicles by 9 per cent in the first decade, and carbon dioxide by 35 per cent. Over 18 years, it forecasts that both could fall by as much as 97 per cent. Those are TfL's forecasts, not a measured result.
What TfL said
Christina Calderato, TfL's director of strategy, said private hire is a vital door-to-door service, especially where public transport has gaps, and that it is also part of cleaning up London's air.
"Building on the progress that has already been made, this consultation sets out our proposals to strengthen those achievements and drive forward the transition towards a zero-emission fleet."
Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance said private hire drivers had led the way on zero-emission capable vehicles, with more than 70 per cent of the fleet now in that category, and that there is more to do.
"That's why we're consulting on these proposals, which would help improve air quality, protect Londoners' health and support our efforts to tackle the climate crisis. I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation as we continue building a greener, cleaner and more sustainable London for all."