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Oslo bans combustion engines: Only E-taxis allowed

The Norwegian capital has taken an important step in promoting emission-free mobility: Since November 1, only taxis without internal combustion engines are allowed to operate in the city.

From November 1st, only electric taxis are allowed in Oslo. Exceptions apply to taxi traffic that goes beyond the city limits. | Photo: Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association
From November 1st, only electric taxis are allowed in Oslo. Exceptions apply to taxi traffic that goes beyond the city limits. | Photo: Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association
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Johannes Reichel
von Thomas Kanzler

The city already decided on this regulation in 2020, thus opting for a four-year transition phase. The new regulation, which applies exclusively to passenger car taxis, only exempts trips that go beyond the city limits. The city administration's rationale is clear: The complete electrification of the taxi fleet aims to further reduce urban pollutant emissions.

A while ago, the taxi industry in Oslo had requested a postponement of this regulation. The reason for this was the lack of charging facilities, which makes a continuous supply of e-taxis during peak times difficult. However, the city administration stuck to the original deadline and made it clear that the electrification of the fleet in Oslo is inevitable. The regulation literally states:

“Taxis operating in Oslo must not emit emissions from combustion engines after November 1, 2024.”

Norway, which has one of the highest electric car quotas worldwide, already shows the transformation in the taxi industry in its registration numbers. In 2023, 88 percent of all new taxis in Norway were registered as electric vehicles - a figure that even exceeded the already high rate for new private car registrations of 82.4 percent. The trend is particularly strong in cities like Bergen and Stavanger, where last year all new taxis were electric. In Trondheim, with an electric share of 97 percent, and Oslo with 90 percent, electric taxis are also increasingly becoming the norm. These numbers illustrate the pressure towards electrification, which many district administrations support through fixed deadlines. 

In Germany, Hamburg is the clear leader in electrifying taxi fleets. From 2025, only electrically powered taxis will receive a concession there. For large-capacity taxis with more than eight seats and vehicles suitable for transporting wheelchairs, the deadline is two years later.

Translated automatically from German.
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