Skip to main content

Beijing to replace all taxis with new energy vehicles

Beijing is aiming to gradually replace its petrol-powered taxis with greener new energy vehicles to help reduce air pollution starting from this year. The city currently has about 71,000 taxis in total, out of which 67,000 are conventionally powered. It has mandated that all petrol-and diesel-powered taxis being taken out of service must be replaced by electric or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) powered cars. Any new taxis should be electric or other types of new energy cars. The project is expected to cos
March 3, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Beijing is aiming to gradually replace its petrol-powered taxis with greener new energy vehicles to help reduce air pollution starting from this year.

The city currently has about 71,000 taxis in total, out of which 67,000 are conventionally powered. It has mandated that all petrol-and diesel-powered taxis being taken out of service must be replaced by electric or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) powered cars. Any new taxis should be electric or other types of new energy cars.

The project is expected to cost taxi operators US$1.3 billion before it is complete. Basic models of fossil-fueled cars in use today cost about US$8,000 to US$10,000. Equivalent electric cars cost twice as much. Taxi drivers are also concerned about the time needed to charge an electric vehicle, coupled with the limited range, which could impact on competition.

In 2015, the London Mayor and 1466 Transport for London committed to introducing the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in the capital in 2020. From 1 January 2018, all taxis licensed for the first time must be zero emission capable, while new diesel taxis will not be allowed in London.

The Chinese government’s Five Year Plan 2016-2020 includes expenditure of US$2 trillion on transportation infrastructure, including railways, roads and water transportation. The country also targets the use of 200,000 new energy buses by 2020, up from more than 160,000 at the end of 2016.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New partners for USDOT Smart City Challenge
    June 23, 2016
    US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced two new partners in the US Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Smart City Challenge, DC Solar Solutions and Continental Automotive. In addition to offering US$1.5 million in mobile solar products to the winning city, mobile solar technology manufacturer DC Solar Solutions will assist all seven finalist cities in building strategies for electric vehicle charging infrastructure to encourage and facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles by individ
  • Buttigieg 'to put $150bn' into public transit
    January 20, 2021
    Cash part of proposed $1 trillion infrastructure package from new US administration
  • Foreign embassies 'owe £143m' in London congestion charges
    May 21, 2024
    Transport for London figures suggest US and Japanese diplomats owe the most
  • Colombia launches second 4G highway tender
    January 23, 2015
    Colombia has launched the second tender round for phase two of the country's US$25 billion 4G highway plan. The concession is valued at US$1.24 billion, according to vice president Germán Vargas Lleras. The project involves construction and repair work on the 447 kilometre Santana-Mocoa-Neiva highway, which will connect southern department Putumayo with Huila in the country's central region. The winner will build 22 kilometre of four-lane highway, 32 kilometres of two-lane highway and repair some 422