Further to your plans to require a zero emissions mode for all new taxis from January 2018, targeted at high pollution areas, which areas did you have in mind for the zero emission mode to be used? Also, will there be any schemes or incentives to help taxi drivers switch to the new vehicles?
My announcement in January to bring forward the date to 2018 by which all newly licensed taxis must be zero emissions capable is another step to improving air quality in high pollution areas. Following this announcement I instructed my team and TfL to prepare the detailed proposals for a full public consultation later this year. The consultation will include proposals for the areas in which newly licensed taxis must operate in zero emissions mode.
I am currently working with a number of partners, including OLEV, manufacturers and financial institutions, to identify ways to provide additional financial support to taxi drivers for the uptake of new zero emission capable taxis.