Off to the European Taxi Trade Fair 2026 in Cologne: The taxi trade meets.

The European taxi trade fair is the meeting place of an industry that is currently having to reposition itself in many respects. Digitalization, electric mobility, rising operating costs, skilled worker shortage and the competition with platform providers pose challenges for taxi companies. All the more important is an event where the industry can inform itself, compare and engage in dialogue with each other. The prerequisites for this year are good: 93 exhibitors have booked their stands in Hall 1. More than a quarter of them come from abroad. With that, the fair grows again. In 2022 there were 70 exhibitors, in 2024 already 80. The hall is fully booked according to the organizer. The range of offerings extends from vehicle manufacturers and specialist converters to software providers, intermediary platforms and taximeter producers to insurers and billing service providers.

New taxi models and electric mobility

The vehicle exhibition is expected to be particularly interesting for many visitors. In the Intax Taxi Oasis, six car brands present themselves: BYD, Dacia, Hyundai, Kia, Renault and XPeng. Toyota is represented as another partner in close proximity. This allows entrepreneurs to directly compare different vehicle concepts, instead of working through technical data sheets and configurators. Some premieres are also announced. Hyundai will for the first time showcase the new Staria Electric as a nine-seat taxi. XPeng brings three electric models to Cologne with the G6, the P7+ and the X9. The seven-seat X9 could be particularly interesting for large-capacity taxi and shuttle operators. The fair thus offers the opportunity to not only learn about ranges and charging performance but also about space, taxi outfitting and the suitability for daily continuous operation.

Software, Billing and New Services

There is at least as much momentum in the digital offerings. Numerous exhibitors present solutions for booking and dispatch, shift payroll, card payments and fleet management. The invoicing of patient transport also occupies a large portion. Providers such as opta data, ZAD or taxi.de show how administrative processes can be digitized and simplified. For business owners, it's worth taking a closer look here. Because while vehicle purchases often prompt discussions about upfront costs and ranges, everyday decisions often determine profitability in other areas: How efficiently does the dispatch operate? How time-consuming is the invoicing? How can drivers and vehicles be managed? And which systems work together instead of creating extra work?

Expert talks address current industry topics

In addition to the exhibition, the trade fair offers a two-day program of talks. On Friday, among other things, current developments in the Passenger Transport Act, digital tools for analyzing violations of the return obligation, the processing of concession applications as well as the Technical Security Equipment (TSE) and the practices of the licensing authorities are on the program. On Saturday, the question will be addressed, among other things, of how Uber can be kept in check with digital tools. There is also a talk followed by a workshop on local marketing for taxi and rental-car companies. These topics are, therefore, relevant not only for large fleets but also for smaller and medium-sized businesses.