Prague wants to switch to electric taxis

Prague wants to advance climate protection: In the future, ridesharing vehicles and taxis will only be allowed to operate electrically, as the city administration announced.

From August 1, 2027, transport companies in the Czech capital will only be allowed to use vehicles that meet at least the EURO 6d emission standard. From January 1, 2030, internal combustion engine taxis will be phased out. Then, only electrically powered vehicles will be allowed for taxi services, writes Jaromír Beránek, Deputy Mayor responsible for transport, on the city's portal.

However, the draft still needs to be approved by the city council. It is important to introduce such a regulation with sufficient lead time so that taxi companies can adapt to it.

According to Beránek, the reason for the new rules is "an unfavorable development in the area of taxi transport". The number of taxis operating in the city has increased significantly compared to a few years ago: 16,000 vehicles were in operation in 2024 – including ride-sharing services like Uber –, while in 2017 there were only 3,000. The vehicles are on average more than ten years old, and the number of those with EURO 4 and 5 emission standards is rapidly increasing.

Bad Air in Prague

Traffic is the main source of air pollution in Prague, says Beránek. Since taxis operate significantly more than private vehicles, they also contribute more to the deterioration of air quality. "If we want to meet stricter limits that will apply from 2030, we have to start with the segments that are most active in the city," said Beránek. "Taxi transport is one of them."

The city also plans to expand charging infrastructure for the electrification of taxis. In 2030, 4,000 to 4,500 standard charging points and 150 to 200 fast and ultra-fast charging points are to be available.

Cities elsewhere are also moving towards electrifying their taxis. Hamburg, for example, has already started: Since 2025, only emission-free taxis have been approved there.

(wpl)