Uber and other taxi-hailing services have contributed to a spike in CO2 emissions in London, according to a new report.
The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) reports a correlation between emission rises and the number of licensed private hire vehicles (PHVs) on the capital’s roads.
Since Uber’s arrival in London, taxi and PHV trips in the city have increased by roughly 25%. The figures strongly correlate with a 23% increase in CO2 emissions for taxis and PHVs in the UK in the same period.
Yoann Le Petit, new mobility expert with T&E, said: “Uber’s CEO tells us they ‘do the right thing, period.’ But the reality is that Uber is part of the traffic and pollution problem, adding car trips in our cities and adding to the climate and pollution crisis.
“If it wants to become part of the solution Uber needs to stop using petrol and diesel cars and rapidly shift to 100% electric rides. That’s the right thing to do, full stop.”
Private car driver numbers doubled between 2012 and 2017 to 89,000.
For Uber alone, driver numbers almost doubled in a much shorter period, from 25,000 in 2016 to 45,000 in 2018.
The app-based company accounts for around half of all PHVs in London.
The analysis paints a similar picture in Paris, where data from 2017 shows 90% of PHVs were diesel.
Combined emissions of Uber services in Paris and London could be as high as half a megatonne of CO2, the equivalent of an extra 250,000 privately owned cars on the road.
- Low Emission Zones: what you need to know
- 11 ways to reduce your driving emissions
- London Mayor considering new charge for London's drivers
London is Uber’s biggest European market with 3.6 million users. Paris had 2.7 million users in 2017.
The company has outlined measures in its Clean Air Plan to ensure every car on the app in London is fully electric by 2025.
Recent findings that have shown SUVS to be the second biggest cause of a rise in global emissions may suggest that PHVs aren’t solely to blame.
To help tackle emissions, Transport for London have launched the Ultra Low Emission Zone, charging vehicles that don’t meet emission standards to travel through the capital.
Greg Archer, UK director of Transport & Environment, said: “Forced by London’s clean air rules, Uber has already committed to 100% clean rides in London by 2025.
“This proves that it is a financially viable option for the company. If it wasn’t, they would have pulled out of the market already. So our question to Uber is: why not Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds? Are those second-class citizens? Are their lungs any different?”

Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
• Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
• We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
• Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^Find the same cover cheaper with the AA within 7 days & we’ll beat it by 20%. †T&Cs apply.
You might also like
Video

11 ways to reduce your driving emissions
Reducing your emissions is good for the environment and will also offer better performance, increased fuel economy and be cheaper to run

Low Emission Zones: what you need to know
As air quality becomes more important, measures are being put in place to discourage polluting vehicles from entering areas where air quality is poor.

The London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): what you need to know
Everything you need to know about the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). From charge costs to compliant cars, read the RAC's complete guide here.
Video

Euro 1 to Euro 7 guide – find out your vehicle's emissions standard
Use our Euro emissions standards checker for your vehicle. Find out what Euro engine emissions standard your car is, and what you have to pay.

The top 10 most dangerous and challenging roads in the world
Plan your next expedition or freak yourself out with the top 10 most dangerous and crazy roads to drive on the planet. Have you driven on any of these roads?
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10