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.

Related Content

  • April 13, 2017
    Mild hybrid 48V vehicles 2017-2027
    Vehicle emissions regulations for 2025 and 2030 are unlikely to be met by conventional vehicle technology as applied to most vehicles beyond small cars, according to IDTechX researchers. Going to strong hybrid and pure electric powertrains involves considerable expense and delay and often totally new platforms. However, an intermediate technology has reached a stage where it can incrementally improve traditional powertrains by replacing the alternator with a reversible 48 V electric machine and adding a
  • October 21, 2021
    Liberty addresses on-street charging deficit
    Liberty says there are only 1,000 charge points in UK outside of the capital, London
  • November 7, 2012
    China to ‘see unparalleled urban growth by 2025’
    New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, New Mega Trends in China: Macro to Micro Implications of Mega Trends to 2025, says that China is set to become the largest economy in the world by 2025 with a nominal GDP value of US$38 trillion. Fuelled by a strong urbanisation rate, a favourable corporate environment, huge infrastructure investment and the largest working age population, the Chinese economy will finally transform itself from being the manufacturing site of the globe to one of the biggest and largest con
  • March 17, 2016
    Inland waterways can de-stress city roads
    David Crawford looks at an under-utilised solution for city-centre deliveries. The use of rivers and canals for moving freight is a well-established mode in North Western Europe, where it can take advantage of an intensively developed network. In the Netherlands, 40% of the total volume of goods transported internally goes by water; the figure for Flanders (the neighbouring Dutch-speaking region of Belgium) is 11.5%.