Aside from Big Ben and the Beefeaters outside Buckingham Palace, there aren’t many things as iconically London as the black cab. Instantly recognisable to tourists on their first visit and deeply embedded in the city’s culture, these taxis have been a vital part of London’s transport system for centuries. But a new report from the Centre for London warns that this cherished institution could face extinction by 2045.
A trade under threat
As a cabbie with twelve years behind the wheel, and a father of three, I love my job. It’s a profession built on skill, dedication, and a deep knowledge of the city. But right now, my ability to continue in this trade is in serious doubt. The biggest challenge facing cabbies today is financial. All new taxis licensed in London must be zero-emission capable, meaning diesel cabs like mine need replacing before they reach their age limit. The problem? The cost of a new electric taxi is simply eye-watering.
The transition to cleaner, greener cabs has already made huge strides. Nearly two-thirds of London’s black cabs are now electric, thanks to cabbies investing heavily in cleaner vehicles and schemes that have supported drivers to scrap their diesel taxis. In just five years, we’ve halved the number of diesel taxis in London—something we should be proud of.
Despite the outdated stereotype of cabbies resisting change, many of us have fully embraced this shift. I’ve got mates who say switching to an electric cab was the best decision they ever made. I want to make that switch too—to help clean up London’s air, reduce emissions, and secure my future in the trade. But without proper financial support, it’s just not possible.
The financial burden of going green
A recent survey by the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association and the climate charity Possible found that two-thirds of diesel cab drivers would go electric immediately if they had the right support. The good news is that there are solutions available—if the government is willing to take action.
One clear option is interest-free loans, like those offered to taxi drivers in Scotland, which make electric vehicles more accessible. The government’s plug-in taxi grant, which originally offered £7,500 off the price of a new electric taxi, has now been cut to £4,000. Worse still, it’s set to end completely in March 2026. Reinstating the original grant—or even increasing it—would make a huge difference.
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There also needs to be serious effort to tackle traffic congestion, which would help cabbies keep fares reasonable and make electric taxis more cost-effective to run. Right now, sitting in traffic burns energy, whether your taxi runs on diesel or electricity. Clearer, safer roads would mean more efficient journeys and lower operating costs.
A future at risk
When electric taxis first became available, my diesel cab was still too new to scrap. Many cabbies were in the same position. Now, nearly half of us still drive diesel, but we’re running out of time. If we can’t afford to upgrade when our cabs hit their age limits, we could be driven out of the trade entirely.
I know many older drivers who have already made the tough decision to leave the profession when their taxis age out. They simply can’t make the sums work to buy or lease an electric taxi and keep up with running costs. It shouldn’t be this way.
London’s black cab trade has survived for over 400 years, adapting from horse-drawn carriages to motor vehicles. The shift to electric should be another step in our evolution, not the end of the road. Cabbies are ready and willing to make the change—but we can’t do it alone.
Without proper financial support, a vital part of London’s history and identity could be lost forever.
