Transport for London (TfL) has announced that as of 1 January 2023 all private hire vehicles licensed for the first time will be required to be zero-emission capable.

TfL wrote

"Following an extensive consultation process, to help reduce emissions in London and improve air quality for everyone, licensing requirements for private hire vehicles (PHVs) have changed.  The changes only apply to vehicles being licensed as a PHV for the first time in London."

From 1 January 2023

• All PHVs licensed for the first time must be zero emission capable (ZEC) and meet the Euro 6 emissions standard
• Vehicles already licensed by TfL must be no older than 10 years at time of re-licensing

Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicles

To meet the PHV ZEC requirements a vehicle must:

• Emit no more than 50g/km CO2 and be capable of being operated with no (zero) exhaust emissions for a minimum range of 10 miles (16.093 km); or
• Emit no more than 75g/km CO2 exhaust emissions and be capable of being operated with no (zero) emissions for a minimum range of 20 miles (32.187 km)

As a minimum, the vehicle must meet the Euro 6 emissions standard if an internal combustion engine is part of the vehicle specification (i.e. hybrid vehicles).