The Future of Taxi Transportation: Exploring the Feasibility of Electric Taxis

As the push for greener transportation gains momentum, it's understandable why concern over the 2030 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles is growing.

A recent survey, from insurer Quotezone, found that around 80% of UK motorists feel the ban is too soon. A similar number felt that petrol and diesel vehicles shouldn’t be scrapped at all.

The ban is going to have a big impact on motoring in the UK. But the taxi and private hire trade is going to be disproportionately affected.

Challenges Faced by Taxi Drivers 

Despite the government’s commitment to greener motoring infrastructure, there are significant challenges for taxi and private hire drivers.  

The push to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) has coincided with a cost-of-living crisis. Lower wages combined with the already huge costs involved in buying EVs has prevented many drivers from making the switch. 

There are government incentives and financing options available, but unfortunately for some, it’s still not a practical option financially.

Range concern continues to be a factor. Most EVs these days will go between 150-300 miles on a single charge. This is perfectly reasonable for a normal driver, but is it enough for a cabbie?

According to a survey carried out by insurer, Zego, the average cabbie does around 46,500 miles each year. The average person in the UK works around 260 days each year. A bit of maths reveals the average cabbie is driving just shy of 180 miles every working day.

On the face of it, it sounds like this is absolutely fine. But you have to consider charging time. For traditionally fuelled cars, you visit a petrol station, fill up, jobs done and you’re back on the road. But for EVs it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 12 hours to completely charge your battery.

If you’re in a position to afford an EV with quicker charging capabilities and a longer mileage, you should be fine. If you’re only able to afford an EV with a smaller capacity, you could potentially be putting a cap on how much you can work in a given day.

On top of all this, the UK’s charging infrastructure is simply not ready for mass adoption of EVs.

Benefits of EVs 

There are clear benefits to EV ownership. While the initial cost can be a barrier to entry, lifetime savings in fuel costs, the reduced risk of mechanical breakdown combined with the financial incentives on offer, do make them a worthwhile long-term investment.

As charging infrastructure continues to develop and technology advances, the barriers that taxi drivers face today may become less daunting in the future.

Continued investment in charging infrastructure, increased financial support, and tailored solutions for the taxi trade can create an environment where taxi drivers feel confident and supported in embracing electric vehicles.

The journey towards an all-electric future for the taxi and private hire trade requires government and industry representatives to find practical solutions. Recognizing the challenges and fostering a supportive EV ecosystem, is the only way to ensure a smooth and successful transition to greener and more sustainable transportation in the UK.