Request ID: FOI-2970-2324 Date published: 13 December 2023
You asked
Dear TFL,
Under FoI I would be grateful if you could please provide:
1) summary of the methods you have used to determine the amount of time ZEC black cabs spend in pure electric mode
2) confirmation whether the only way you have determined the above is by a survey which the drivers have to complete (i) if so, please provide the questions you asked and the number of replies
3) confirmation if you have verified the amount of time spent by ZEC black cabs in electric mode independently, for example by telemetry apparatus onboard the taxis
4) current number of ZEC black cabs, and total black cab fleet
We answered
TfL Ref: 2970-2324 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 15 November 2023 asking for information about Taxi vehicles.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked for the following: 1) summary of the methods you have used to determine the amount of time ZEC black cabs spend in pure electric mode
2) confirmation whether the only way you have determined the above is by a survey which the drivers have to complete (i) if so, please provide the questions you asked and the number of replies
3) confirmation if you have verified the amount of time spent by ZEC black cabs in electric mode independently, for example by telemetry apparatus onboard the taxis
In our 2022 Taxi and Private Hire Licensee Customer Satisfaction Survey, taxi drivers were asked to estimate the amount of time they operated their Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicles in pure electric and petrol range extender mode. A summary of the London Electric Vehicle (LEVC) TXe – electric Taxi drivers 2022 Survey is provided in the attached PDF.
A further survey was implemented in November 2023; however, this information is subject to an exception from disclosure in accordance with Regulation 12(4)(d), which applies to information that is still in the course of completion, unfinished documents or incomplete data. The 2023 results will not be confirmed until next year and are, by definition, unfinished, and therefore we consider the exception to be engaged.
The use of this exception is subject to a public interest test, which requires us to consider whether the public interest in applying the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosure. We recognise that the release of the 2023 Survey would promote transparency and also help address your particular concerns about this issue. However, on balance, we consider that the public interest favours the publication of this information in context and according to the pre-determined schedule, rather than in response to your request, to ensure the information is provided accurately and in an accessible manner. In the meantime, we do not gather vehicle telemetry data and do not hold further information in this regard.
4) current number of ZEC black cabs, and total black cab fleet
More than 50 per cent of London's nearly 14,700 black taxis are cleaner than ever before and helping to cut down emissions in London's polluted air. Please see our recent press release published here.
We regularly publish licensing information on our website including the number of licensed taxi vehicles and the proportion that are ZEC.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. Yours sincerely,
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
