Nearly a THIRD of all licensed taxis in England are over ten years according to new DfT data
Newly released Government data has revealed nearly a THIRD of all licensed taxis in England are over ten years.
According to the latest Department for Transport (DfT) taxi and private hire figures, 51% of taxis are between 5 and 10 years old, while 29% are 10 years or older. In comparison, the PHV fleet is generally younger, with 76% of vehicles under 10 years old, compared to 69% for taxis.
Between 2020 and 2024, the age profile of both taxis and PHVs has shifted. The proportion of vehicles under 5 years old has decreased, while those between 5 and 10 years old have increased. The proportion of vehicles aged 10 years and over has remained relatively stable throughout this period. The trend raises questions about the factors driving these changes and the potential implications for the industry.
As of 31 March 2024, the average age of a taxi in England was 7.3 years, whereas the average age of a PHV was 5.7 years. These figures are notably lower than the average age of all cars in England, which stood at 9.5 years as of 31 December 2023. This discrepancy could be attributed to the higher mileage that most taxis and PHVs typically cover, necessitating more frequent vehicle replacement or renewal to maintain reliability.
The relatively lower average age of taxis and PHVs is also influenced by stringent safety and emissions regulations. Taxis and PHVs often face stricter requirements compared to private cars, driving operators to update their fleets more regularly to comply with these standards.
The data suggests that while the taxi fleet is ageing, it is doing so at a controlled pace, likely due to regulatory pressures and currently rising operational costs. The increase in vehicles aged between 5 and 10 years indicates a potential trend where operators are balancing the costs of new vehicle acquisition with the need to meet regulatory standards.
Fleet operators must however consider the financial risk of maintaining an ageing fleet versus investing in newer vehicles. Policymakers need to be aware of how regulations impact vehicle age and fleet composition.
