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TAXIS 4 SMART MOBILITY

T4SM

Taxis 4 Smart Mobility (T4SM) is a coalition of like-minded socially responsible taxi organisations engaged in the development of sustainable cities by greening their taxi fleets and embracing technological innovations.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Jean-Louis Colson (Head of Unit Mobility and Transport) and POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE BRUSSELS

17 Oct 2025 · Exchange of views on possible ways forward of the Commission in the field of local transport-on-demand (taxis and PHV)

Response to Clean corporate vehicles

5 Sept 2025

Taxis 4 Smart Mobility (T4SM) is the European voice of the taxi industry, gathering eleven European like-minded, innovative, and socially responsible national taxi associations, dispatch centres, and cooperatives committed to promoting and shaping sustainable and smart mobility across Europe. T4SM welcomes the European Commissions efforts to reduce transport emissions and accelerate the shift to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), through the Clean Corporate Vehicles initiative. However, the taxi sector operates under important constraints, and as such needs tailored support to effectively decarbonise and keep playing a key role for European citizens, both in terms of services and as an industry itself. T4SM believes that the decarbonisation of the taxi industry must be locally driven, operationally feasible, and economically viable, and we would be concerned should this initiative impose fleet electrification mandates on taxi operators, drivers, and dispatch centres. Market-based incentives over hard targets or mandates are needed to support the decarbonisation of the sector. Among other segments, the taxi sector ought to be given particular attention as it operates under specific constraints, including: 1. Fleet structure: Taxis are mainly self-employed or micro-enterprises working under regulated fares, limiting cost pass-through. They are recognised as part of the public transport system in many countries and exempt from standard fleet rules. 2. Charging gaps: Taxis drive 300500 km daily and need reliable 150 kW+ charging at hubs. Yet infrastructure remains scarce, slow to permit, and unevenly distributed, especially in rural areas. Grid congestion and discrepancies between stated and real ranges further hinder electrification. 3. Unviable economics: With 80% of operators being SMEs, and fares regulated, generic subsidies or loans are insufficient. Mandates or strict targets would force drivers - in a sector already facing driver shortages - out of business. 4. Model and operational constraints: Few ZEVs meet taxi needs (spacious cabins, wheelchair access, long shifts). Long repair times, high insurance premiums and limited spare parts add to costs. 5. No second-hand market: Taxis reach 300k400k km within years; resale value is near zero, undermining residual value financing. Key recommendations 1. Local empowerment: Allow cities and Member States to set taxi-specific targets in SUMPs/NECPs, supported by Cohesion/CEF funds. 2. Recognition as public transport: Include licensed taxis in the EU definition of public passenger transport for PSOs, LEZ access, and funding. 3. Tailored financial support: Dedicated incentives for taxi-grade ZEVs, simplified loans/leasing, and targeted tax relief, avoiding blanket targets or mandates. 4. Taxi-specific infrastructure: Require AFIR to plan taxi-priority ultra-fast charging and co-fund hubs; harmonise right-to-charge rules; set binding urban grid upgrades. 5. Fair competition: Limit ZEV incentives to fully licensed taxis with scrappage and reporting obligations. 6. Technological neutrality: Prioritise BEVs in dense areas, FCEVs for long/mountainous routes, and allow limited e-fuels under strict conditions in remote regions. We look forward to collaborating with the European Commission on this initiative. See the full contribution attached.
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Meeting with Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Commissioner) and

17 Jul 2025 · Corporate Fleets strategic dialogue

Meeting with Jens Gieseke (Member of the European Parliament) and OG Clean Fuels B.V.

20 Dec 2024 · Austausch zu EU Politik

Meeting with Andrea Wechsler (Member of the European Parliament) and Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V. and

4 Dec 2024 · EU Energy and Industry Policy

Meeting with Pierfrancesco Maran (Member of the European Parliament) and CONFCOMMERCIO - IMPRESE PER L'ITALIA

4 Dec 2024 · Priorities new legislature

Meeting with Kristian Vigenin (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Dec 2024 · The future of transport in Europe

Meeting with Johan Danielsson (Member of the European Parliament)

2 Dec 2024 · Grön omställning och arbetsvillkor i taxibranschen

Meeting with Sylvie Brunet (Member of the European Parliament)

16 May 2022 · Travailleurs des plateformes

Response to New EU urban mobility framework

25 May 2021

Taxis 4 Smart Mobility (T4SM) is the European voice of the taxi industry in the development of sustainable and smart mobility. T4SM believes that real change happens at the local level, and therefore its members actively engage in the development of sustainable and smart mobility within cities, peri-urban and rural areas in collaboration with local authorities, under local and national legislation. The change in urban mobility patterns due to environmental, technological, socio-demographic, and cultural factors in European urban areas affects citizens in their daily lives and in their immediate local surroundings. T4SM therefore welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to tackle the need for a sustainable, smart and socially conscious mobility framework in European cities and regions. Acknowledging the challenges outlined in the Commission’s analysis, and as the EU regulatory environment advances and new players enter the market, we believe that it is of the utmost importance to recognise the unique nature of the taxi industry. Taxis are part of the public transport systems in local areas and ensure mobility for all people at any time and any place. As the taxi business is not characteristically cross-border, respect for the uniqueness of each culture is ultimately what makes it successful by being able to cater to the needs of customers. Keeping regulations at the local and national level allows cities and countries to best deal with existing and arising challenges locally, and allows them to take advantage of the available infrastructure to ensure the provision of the best services to citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on what needs to be done to ensure a strong future for EU mobility. The taxi sector has been at the forefront of fighting COVID-19, ensuring continuous transport and providing free rides to medical staff across Europe while also helping the most vulnerable with getting food or seeing a doctor. Our members work continuously to ensure that the sector is resilient and forward-looking while providing their taxi drivers at the frontline of the pandemic with adequate support and ensuring a decent living standard for them. We call on the European Commission to ensure that the future of mobility is sustainable, innovative, socially responsible, and safe while acknowledging the unique nature of the taxi sector which requires local regulations and enforcement. T4SM therefore is keen to collaborate with the European Union and civil society in the development of the new EU urban mobility framework.
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