CITY CABS – TURNING BLACK CABS GREEN

City Cabs Environmental Transition Agenda (2025–2030)

Vision

City Cabs is transitioning from a traditionally operated diesel taxi fleet to a fully environmentally conscious transport business by 2030. Through company-owned vehicle investment and structured fleet replacement, we are removing the financial burden from drivers while accelerating the adoption of low and zero-emission vehicles across Edinburgh.

City Cabs Fleet Transition Strategy

1. Business Model Transformation (Completed – March 2025)

In March 2025, City Cabs restructured its operating model to allow the company to directly purchase and own vehicles, which are then rented to our members at favourable and accessible rates.

Strategic Benefits

  • Removes the need for individual drivers to finance new vehicles themselves
  • Allows City Cabs to control and accelerate fleet modernisation
  • Creates a scalable pathway to reduce fleet emissions
  • Supports drivers through lower-risk access to modern vehicles
  • Positions City Cabs as a sustainability leader within the taxi industry

Progress to Date

  • 40 company purchased environmentally friendly vehicles already introduced into the fleet and replaced old vehicles
  • In addition to 85 driver owned environmentally friendly vehicles

2. Fleet Decarbonisation Programme (Starting May 2026)

From May 2026, City Cabs will begin a structured vehicle replacement programme supported by external funding.

Transition Plan

  • Replace one high-emission vehicle every week
  • Transition from diesel vehicles averaging:
    • 161 g/km CO₂ emissions
    • to vehicles producing:
      • 41 g/km (PHEV)
      • or 0 g/km (Fully Electric)

Fleet Objective

  • Transition the full fleet of approximately 400 vehicles
  • Complete the transformation by 2030

Environmental Impact

Annual Fleet Activity

  • City Cabs fleet covers approximately:
    • 21,000,000 kilometres per year

Carbon Reduction Target

The transition programme is projected to reduce emissions by:

Over 2,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually

This reduction will have a direct positive environmental impact across Edinburgh by:

  • Improving urban air quality
  • Reducing carbon emissions city-wide
  • Supporting Scotland’s net-zero ambitions
  • Demonstrating leadership in sustainable public transport

Operational Priorities (2026–2030)

Vehicle Procurement

  • Continue phased acquisition of PHEV and EV vehicles
  • Prioritise reliability, efficiency, and driver suitability
  • Build manufacturer and funding partnerships

Driver Support

  • Maintain favourable rental structures
  • Ensure smooth onboarding into EV/PHEV usage
  • Provide education on efficient driving and charging

Infrastructure Development

  • Expand access to charging infrastructure
  • Work with local authorities and partners
  • Improve operational efficiency for electric fleet management

Financial Sustainability

  • Utilise external funding to scale transition responsibly
  • Balance fleet replacement with operational performance
  • Maintain affordability for drivers and customers

Environmental Accountability

  • Track annual emissions reductions
  • Report fleet progress transparently
  • Continue aligning with environmental best practice

2030 Commitment

By 2030, City Cabs aims to:

  • Operate one of the UK’s most environmentally conscious taxi fleets
  • Significantly reduce transport emissions within Edinburgh
  • Provide drivers with affordable access to modern low-emission vehicles
  • Deliver sustainable transport solutions without compromising service quality

Summary

City Cabs has already begun transforming its business model to enable large-scale environmental change. By combining company-owned vehicles, structured fleet replacement, and external funding, the business is creating a practical and achievable pathway to a low-emission future.

This strategy ensures:

  • Drivers are supported rather than burdened
  • Emissions are reduced at scale
  • Edinburgh benefits directly from cleaner urban transport
  • City Cabs remains commercially sustainable while leading environmental progress in the taxi sector