Our Ref: FOI-3190-1819
 
Thank you for your request received on 22 February 2019 asking for information about private hire vehicles and emission standards.
 
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:
 
How many PHVs currently licenced by TFL are not ULEZ compliant?

London’s toxic air contributes to thousands of early deaths each year and is putting the health of children at risk. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is central to the Mayor’s plans to transform the air that millions of Londoners breathe.

The ULEZ will mean that vehicles driving in central London will need to meet the toughest vehicle emission standards of any major city. This follows wide-ranging action the Mayor has already taken on tackling the most polluting cars, and cleaning up London’s bus and taxi fleet.

Our emissions standards for private hire vehicles (PHV) include a zero emission capable (ZEC) requirement from 1 January 2020. Further details regarding PHV licensing requirements are available on our website at the following location: www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/emissions-standards-for-phvs.

We do not hold specific figures for ULEZ compliant PHVs but based on our records of licensed PHVs and DVLA records of vehicle emission standards from February 2019 (the latest DVLA data available), we estimate that approximately 29 per cent of the licensed private hire fleet does not meet the ULEZ emission standards.

We anticipate that our emissions policy for PHVs and natural fleet replacement will increase the proportion of vehicles that will meet the ULEZ emission standards. It should also be noted that not that all licensed private hire vehicles would operate within the central London ULEZ area.
 
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
 
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
[email protected]