‘I WILL SUPPORT ANY RELEVANT CONVERSATION’: Mayor of London prepared to back calls for VAT relief on electric taxis
- Perry Richardson
- 10 hours ago
- 1 min read
The Mayor of London has confirmed he is open to supporting discussions around VAT exemptions for electric black cabs, following a question raised in City Hall.
Assembly Member Alex Wilson asked the Mayor to help London’s taxi drivers by backing VAT relief on electric vehicles. He highlighted the financial strain drivers face due to increased charging costs, despite their investment in zero emission vehicles.
In response, Sadiq Khan said London’s taxi trade had led the way in switching to cleaner vehicles. He noted that over 60 per cent of licensed taxis are now Zero Emission Capable.
Khan also confirmed that the Deputy Mayor for Transport had already written to the Government this year about support for the trade, including VAT relief and exemptions for new wheelchair accessible taxis and public charging.
He added that he has encouraged the trade to raise VAT issues with HM Treasury directly, saying he would support “any relevant conversations” that follow.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, responded: “London’s iconic taxi trade have been early adopters of Zero Emissions Capable (ZEC) technology, investing in and playing an active role to help reduce harmful emissions. I am proud that over 60 per cent of licensed taxis are now ZEC.
“The Deputy Mayor for Transport wrote to the Government this year about support for taxi drivers, including VAT relief and exemptions on new purpose-built taxis as designated wheelchair accessible vehicles and for public charging. As per my response, I have asked the taxi trade to raise issues of VAT directly with HM Treasury, which I will support in any relevant conversations.”
