The case for electrification of taxis and ride-hailing

The world today is eager for more green solutions to tackle climate change. In the transport sector, several taxi and ride-hailing companies have chosen the path of electrification to reduce their carbon footprint. Electrification of the sector is important as these vehicles have the highest energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts per passenger kilometre of all urban mobility, and are among the vehicles that register the highest lifetime mileage. The sector and its users would greatly benefit from a rapid transition to zero tailpipe emission vehicles and notably to 100% electric vehicles (or BEV for Battery Electric Vehicles).

Prioritising the electrification of fleets would secure the biggest and fastest impact: In Europe alone, it is estimated that fleets2 represent only 20% of the European car park of light and heavy duty vehicles but account for 50% of the carbon dioxide emissions of that same car park. Their contribution could skyrocket as the number of vehicles grows, unless a fast transition to zero tailpipe emissions is ensured.

This Knowledge Brief shines a light on the electrification of the taxi and ride-hailing sector, provides best practices from the frontrunners and evaluates what still needs to be done to support the transition.

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To support taxi companies in their transition to electric vehicles, UITP has released a dedicated toolkit for its members that provides more detailed guidelines based on international practices as well as the lessons learnt from the first 100% e-taxi operator, the Pengcheng Electric Taxi (a subsidiary of Shenzhen Bus Group).