Prague to Restrict Taxis to Euro 6d Vehicles from 2027

From August 2027, only vehicles meeting the Euro 6d emissions standard will be permitted to operate as taxis in Prague. A broader regulation requiring electric or hydrogen vehicles from 2030 was rejected by the city council.

From August 2027, only vehicles that meet at least the Euro 6d emissions standard – that is, cars registered from 1 January 2021 onwards – may be used as taxis in Prague. This was decided by the city council yesterday. A planned second phase, under which only electric or hydrogen vehicles would be allowed as taxis from 2030, was rejected.

The regulation stems from the sharp increase in taxis in the capital: while there were around 3,000 taxis in 2017, by 2024 more than 16,000 vehicles were already registered. The average age of the cars now exceeds ten years, compared with just four years in 2017.

Foto: Matt Boitor | Unsplash

The council approved the Euro 6d requirement from August 2027, but a wider obligation for emission-free vehicles from 2030 did not gain a majority. The Spolu and ANO parties voted against it, preventing the measure from coming into force. Later postponements to 2031 or 2032, as well as the inclusion of hybrid vehicles, were also rejected.

Opposition and coalition parties argued that the charging infrastructure would not be sufficient by 2030. At the same time, the councillors decided to commission an analysis on expanding the charging network.

Representatives of taxi drivers criticised the electric vehicle limit as threatening their livelihoods, particularly for smaller operators, while larger platforms such as Uber or Bolt would benefit.