London taxi drivers are facing financial uncertainty and potential loss of livelihoods as Transport for London (TfL) remains silent on the age limits for diesel taxis equipped with an approved emissions retrofit system. This comes five months after TfL approved the HJS emission upgrade for Euro 5 TX4 taxis to be converted to Euro 6 emission standards.
The project, which was a five-year effort, was seen as a welcome step forward for drivers, helping them to comply with Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and environmental regulations. However, the lack of clarity from TfL on policy changes allowing age extensions for retrofitted Euro 5 taxis is causing concern among drivers.
Currently, even retrofitted Euro 5 taxis that meet Euro 6 standards are only eligible to remain licensed for up to 12 years, rather than the 15 years permitted for factory Euro 6 models. This discrepancy has caused financial uncertainty for drivers and threatens their livelihoods, leading many to leave the trade.
London taxi drivers argue that the Euro 6 exhaust upgrade offers a practical solution that provides the same benefit as the LPG conversion, which has been used to upgrade older Euro 5 taxis to Euro 6-equivalent emissions since 2019. They believe that this alternative option should be given the same maximum operating age as a Euro 5 TX4 taxi converted from diesel to LPG.
The HJS emission upgrade has already been successfully implemented in other cities throughout the UK, with more than 100 TX4 taxis upgraded with grant support in Scotland. This raises the question of why London is any different.
With no decision on the age limit policy from TfL, London cabbies are facing financial hardship and forced vehicle changes. In some cases, drivers are being forced to leave the trade altogether. This uncertainty comes at a time when operating costs are rising and the black cab trade is facing long-standing pressure.
Wednesday 17 December, 2025 marked the five-month anniversary of TfL’s approval of the HJS emission upgrade for Euro 5 TX4 taxis. Despite this, the lack of clarity from TfL on policy changes for age extensions is causing concern and financial uncertainty for London taxi drivers. The project, which aimed to help drivers comply with ULEZ and environmental regulations, has yet to fully deliver on its promise due to the delayed decision on age limits.
The taxi industry has been eagerly awaiting a decision from TfL, but the continued silence is threatening the livelihoods of London taxi drivers. The uncertainty surrounding the age limit for retrofitted Euro 5 taxis has caused financial hardship and forced many drivers to leave the trade. This is despite the fact that the HJS emission upgrade offers a practical solution for meeting TfL’s environmental standards without having to replace the entire vehicle.
The technology has already been successfully implemented in other cities throughout the UK, with more than 100 TX4 taxis upgraded with grant support in Scotland. This raises the question of why London is any different. With grant support provided by TfL, minibuses and vans in London are already using the HJS emission upgrade to reduce emissions. It is time for TfL to make a decision and provide the same support for London taxi drivers.
The delay in the decision on age limits is causing financial uncertainty and hardship for London cabbies, who are already facing rising operating costs and pressure on the black cab trade. It is time for TfL to take action and provide clarity for London taxi drivers, who have been waiting patiently for a decision to be made. Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.