Drive types, fuels and emissions

The London black cab is entering the next round. The manufacturer LEVC has announced that in 2027 it will bring a completely new taxi model to market. Geely is therefore continuing to rely on LEVC to deliver accessible, purpose-built vehicles for professional passenger transport.

(dpa) Fuel prices are reaching new record highs: gasoline is as expensive as ever, diesel is approaching its previous peak. The coalition now wants to act quickly to counteract – but there is still disagreement about the concrete measures.

Taxi-, rental-car-, patient-transport- and emergency medical service providers could hardly pass on higher costs in the short term. The industry association VSPV therefore demands an automatic relief mechanism.

At the IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, not only parcel delivery services and trades businesses are in focus. Many of the new vans could soon also operate as accessible and multi-passenger taxis. Faster charging technology, longer ranges, and flexible interior concepts are changing the outlook for electrically powered passenger transport.

For taxi companies that rely on Tesla electric vehicles, the taxi conversion will become easier in the future. The Austrian taximeter manufacturer HALE has presented a technical solution that is intended to speed up installation, reduce costs, and render additional hardware unnecessary.

The electric fastback sedan complements the G6 in the conversion specialist's portfolio. It offers up to 350 kilowatts of charging power, 573 liters of luggage space, and various battery variants.

On a long-distance drive from Eisenach to Lake Eibsee, the electric SUV goes the distance without a charging stop. At the destination, the display shows five percent battery remaining.

Anyone currently driving through Vienna, Graz, or Linz might encounter them: 15 taxis that not only transport passengers but also carry a message. On their bodies they advertise the campaign "No More E-Fears!", with which the Austrian Ministry of Mobility aims to reduce reservations about electric mobility.

The accelerated transition to electric mobility is injecting more activity into the vehicle market of the taxi and rental-car industry. Retrofit specialist Adler is now expanding its existing program with two additional models: alongside the already presented Xpeng G6, the Xpeng P7+ sedan and the G6 SUV in pale ivory will now also be available.

More than 500 kilometres of range, hybrid powertrains and 800-volt technology: The planned vehicles meet the different requirements of taxi and rental-car operators.

Up to 510 kilometers of range, 220 kW charging power, and additional storage space under the front hood: The electric SUV is now also available for taxi and rental car operators.

The fifth generation combines 223 hp system power with a high electric range. Limitations are evident in interior space, visibility, and charging performance.

The manufacturer is expanding its offering for commercial fleets and combines electrified vehicles with a nationwide network for taxi conversions as well as vehicles available on short notice.

Toyota announces in a recent press release that it intends to intensify its partnership with Uber. The offering is targeted at central European markets and builds on the high popularity of Toyota models in the European ride-hailing segment, according to the automaker. It's a pity that Toyota's engagement in taxis, however, seems to be waning – so far the Japanese have not booked a stand at this year's taxi trade fair in Cologne!

The SMART/LAB Innovationsgesellschaft mbH (Smartlab) offers BVTM members an exclusive charging card offer. This makes it easier for Smartlab to enter electromobility and at the same time enables access to a Europe-wide charging network.

(dpa) While the real list prices of comparable electric vehicles have fallen significantly since 2020, internal-combustion cars have become more expensive. Researchers see several reasons why this development could continue.

(dpa/tk) The demand for electric cars is picking up again. That gives the carmaker Tesla a tailwind for its production plans. Now the complete value chain – from the battery to the finished vehicle – is to be consolidated in Grünheide.

While European transport policy is mainly geared towards electrification, some industrial companies are trying to answer another question with data instead of fundamental debates: How much climate protection can be achieved with the vehicles that are already on the roads?

With the GB 38031–2025 standard, China is setting the facts on the ground that reshape the safety debate around electric cars. How this makes electric cars even safer - and why taxi operators are affected by it.

(dpa) After a significant jump, fuel is for the first time since mid-May again above the psychologically important threshold. Gasoline is also on the rise.

(dpa) Preliminary analyses indicate an incomplete pass-through of the tax relief. At the same time, new procedures are intended to create greater transparency regarding price formation and costs.

(dpa) Already by the morning after the end of the tax relief, fuel prices are noticeably above the previous day's level. Further price movements throughout the day are possible.

Whoever books a company car at Tesla in Grünheide can apparently experience much more than just the trip from A to B. According to the person responsible for the internal company car program, more than 100 tickets are issued every month at the electric car manufacturer – incurred by employees who use the vehicles.

Even though Elon Musk is now reaching for the stars with SpaceX, he wants to make money with his cars. That is enough reason to put the current Model 3 under the magnifying glass to find out how Tesla is faring in the increasingly tougher competition.

The fully electric minibus is now available to order in Germany with up to seven seats. New equipment details and additional charging options are expected to further increase everyday practicality.

(dpa) Fuel prices continue to fall. New ADAC data show how close diesel is already to pre-war prices and why further reductions could be possible.

When you order a taxi in Germany's major cities, you are increasingly getting into an electric car. In Hamburg, since the beginning of 2025, even only emissions-free taxis may be newly registered. In the countryside, the situation looks different. There, economic realities count more than political directives.

Elon Musk doesn't think much of restraint when it comes to the future of Tesla. For years, he has emphasized that autonomous driving is the key to the success of the electric car manufacturer. Now the controversial e-car pioneer has applied for a ride-hailing license.

A factsheet demonstrates the everyday practicality of electromobility. Transparent charging prices are demanded and a stronger used-car market is needed to further accelerate the transition.

Analyses of driving and charging data debunk widespread concerns about range, battery life, and costs. In particular, rising diesel prices significantly tilt the cost-benefit calculation in favor of electric drives.

Around 3,000 vehicles are to be converted in the long term. Project partners and the administration will explain on 1 July in Hamburg how subsidies, charging options and policy framework conditions interact.

With the PV5 WAV, Kia expands its electric van family with a wheelchair-accessible variant. The vehicle will be presented at the trade fair “Motability Scheme Live” in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Production start is planned for mid-July; the market launch will follow later.

Mercedes had touted the S-Class facelift – in reality, the changes are rather modest. However, something is happening with the internal combustion engines. The plug-in hybrid powertrain has also been optimized and performed well on the test drive.

Almost two-thirds of all vehicle inquiries in Germany now account for electric and hybrid models. However, the gap between interest and actual purchase remains large.

Analyses show smaller price discounts than had been announced. The taxi and rental car association warns of existential consequences and calls for immediate political intervention.

Attractive terms from Hamburg's "Future Taxi" initiative are now valid nationwide. The range of benefits also expands significantly for car washing and refueling.

(dpa/lno) The share of electric taxis has steadily increased in recent years. The city provides financial support for the switch.

In Amberg, regulation is currently being used as a short-term crisis intervention. As the first municipality in Bavaria, the city has introduced a diesel price surcharge for taxi traffic by emergency ordinance – an instrument that stands out less for its magnitude than for its ease of implementation.

Doubt often accompanies it. Whoever speaks about electromobility in the taxi trade quickly lands on the question of the battery's durability. Especially in continuous operation, with many charging cycles and high mileage, it is regarded as a bottleneck. Now figures from DEKRA and from Munich taxi operations provide a differentiated picture.

Australia goes electric. The fifth continent, known for kangaroos, endless outback, venomous snakes and the gigantic Ayers Rock, will be surprisingly electric. A tour with the Mini Aceman is meant to show why many Australians are switching – at least in the big cities.

The Xpeng G6 hasn't been on German roads for long yet, but in the taxi business it is already being regarded as a serious option. After Intax recently presented its Xpeng taxi, there are now two Xpeng G6s from the retrofit specialist Adler at Auto Grill in Ebersberg, available for interested taxi operators to test.

The automotive industry knows no breathing space. Not even for a manufacturer like Tesla, which for a long time was regarded as the pace-setter of electric mobility. In Grünheide near Berlin, it is currently becoming evident how strongly the usual market mechanisms also take hold there—and how differently they are communicated.

With the conversion of the Kia PV5 Passenger into a taxi, the Oldenburg-based specialist presents another model from Kia. The PV5 from Intax is electric, spacious, and designed for flexible use. And - it can also be fully retrofitted if needed.

The Hansa-Taxi cooperative makes its support for the Olympic bid publicly visible and points to emission-free and accessible offerings in its own fleet.

With an investment in HysetCo, the platform operator secures vehicles and refueling infrastructure. The aim is to significantly increase the share of fuel cell vehicles in the capital.

Mercedes recently showed the way with the S-Class and the EQS — now BMW is also presenting its revised flagship: the duo of the 7 Series and the all-electric i7. Visually, there has been a lot of change at the front of the noble flagship, because the new generation is driving ahead more confidently than ever before.

The Kia EV5 as a taxi - the South Korean automaker, which has so far been positioned mainly as a family vehicle, is set to also establish a foothold in taxi and rental-car operations. The conversion will be carried out by the taxi specialist Intax.

Mercedes-Benz pushes the boundaries of a familiar segment. With the sales launch of the Mercedes-Benz VLE, Mercedes-Benz is aiming to do exactly that: redefine the classic minivan — as a kind of electric limousine in XXL format.

Germany's Taxi and Rental Car Association welcomes the energy tax cut, but warns of insufficient impact and calls for additional steps in the event of persistently high prices.

According to the motorist price index, households in Germany spend 11.9% of their cost of living on transport. And: driving is getting more expensive, not only at the pump.

More than 15 million units sold worldwide: With the new generation, Toyota is expanding its plug-in-hybrid lineup and is betting on higher charging power, additional connectivity, and optimized driving dynamics.

In light of historically high diesel prices, the industry association sees existential risks for taxi, bus and freight transport and calls for nationwide coordinated steps.

The Bavarian taxi association proposes a rapid transitional solution in light of the energy price developments. A fixed surcharge per ride could apply until autumn 2026 – with a clearly defined exit mechanism.

The Kia EV3 combines a compact size with an astonishing amount of interior space. With the electric SUV, the taxi specialist Intax expands its portfolio with a compact electric option offering a good range.

(dpa/tmn) More space, more range: Toyota brings the C-HR+ with up to 607 kilometers Teaser: Thanks to a 2.75-meter wheelbase, 416 liters of trunk space and fast charging capability, the new electric SUV is aimed at customers with premium space and performance requirements.

The XPeng G6 charges to 80 percent in around twelve minutes and achieves up to 535 kilometers of range. INTAX now provides suitable taxi and rental-car packages, including a vehicle wrap.

For taxi operators who rely on electromobility, Tesla vehicles have been among the more conspicuous alternatives in the fleet in recent years. But anyone who currently wants to convert a Tesla into a taxi or rental car will encounter a pause in the system. According to conversion specialist Intax from Oldenburg, such conversions cannot be carried out at present.

This year, Mercedes is celebrating 140 years of the automobile. Among all trends toward electrification, it is easy to overlook that ninety years ago, with the Mercedes 260 D of the W 138 series, a diesel engine entered a passenger car for the first time. Even today, diesel remains one of the most efficient powertrains in cars.

The Chinese manufacturer BYD continues to expand its presence in Europe – and is increasingly aligning itself with vehicle concepts that have been in demand here for years. An example of this is the new plug-in hybrid wagon BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring. The model was presented at the IAA Mobility and is now available to order in several European markets. For the taxi and rental car business, the hybrid wagon is an interesting alternative.