When it comes to the traffic turnaround in Germany, Hamburg sets the tone. The “Future Taxi” project aims to save thousands of tons of CO2. Taxis with combustion engines will no longer be seen on the streets of the Hanseatic city from 2025.
Hamburg will be the first federal state to no longer allow combustion engine taxis from 2025. In the transport sector in particular, you have to make quick progress on climate protection, said Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks from the Greens. “The end of combustion engines for Hamburg’s taxis is a good example of this.” Switching to electric and hydrogen-powered taxis would already save 2,000 tons of CO2 every year. “If we electrify the entire fleet in Hamburg, it’s 25,000 tons a year,” said the senator. “We hope that this decision in Hamburg will send out a signal – for Germany and all of Europe.”
In 2021, Hamburg started the “Future Taxi” project to promote the switch to locally emission-free taxis. According to the authorities, there are currently over 350 such cars on the streets of Hamburg, 25 of which run on hydrogen. With a share of twelve percent of such less environmentally harmful vehicles, the Hamburg taxi fleet is already taking the top position nationwide, it is said.
The great demand for locally emission-free taxis shows “that the industry is ready and willing to leave the combustion engine age behind,” said Tjarks. From January 1, 2025 it should be over. “The e-taxis have also proven to be reliable, comfortable and cheaper to operate than the combustion-powered taxis.” Industry representatives also described the “Future Taxi” project as a success. “We firmly believe that the future of our industry is electric and that this changeover date is feasible,” said Hansa Taxi CEO Thomas Lohse.
According to Alexander Mönch, head of Free Now Germany
