Prius won’t be deemed green enough for Ubers in London

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 23, 2026

Transport for London will stop issuing new private hire vehicle licenses for Toyota Prius and other plug-in hybrids from July 2028, limiting new licenses to fully electric vehicles. This policy aims to accelerate the city's shift to zero-emission transport and improve air quality amid growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions.

The Toyota Prius, long a popular choice among London’s Uber drivers due to its fuel efficiency and reliability, will no longer be eligible for new private hire vehicle licenses in the city starting July 2028. Transport for London (TfL) announced plans to restrict new licenses to fully electric vehicles as part of its broader initiative to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

Currently, London has over 105,000 private hire drivers, with roughly one-third already operating fully electric vehicles. According to TfL data, private hire drivers cover an average of approximately 19,000 miles annually, nearly three times the mileage of the typical private car in the UK. In contrast, black cabs operate under a separate licensing regime that still permits the use of hybrid vehicles.

The move to ban plug-in hybrids like the Prius from new private hire licenses reflects a more stringent approach than the UK government’s nationwide target, which requires 80% of new car sales to be fully battery electric by 2030. TfL’s proposal aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles to foster a sustainable transport ecosystem in London.

Black cab drivers have expressed concerns about the pace of environmental regulations affecting their trade, stating that their shift toward greener vehicles has been enforced too rapidly despite financial incentives. TfL has offered grants of up to £4,000 to support taxi drivers in purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles, but some drivers feel these measures have not been sufficient.

TfL has launched a public consultation on its private hire vehicle plans, which is open until December. Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, emphasized the importance of private hire vehicles in maintaining the flow of the city’s transport network, while underscoring the intent to ensure these vehicles operate sustainably in the years ahead.

As London continues to push for cleaner transportation options, the decision to end new licensing for plug-in hybrids reflects both environmental ambitions and the evolving landscape of urban mobility regulation.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.