Emission rules deadline extended for wheelchair accessible taxis
The deadline for existing wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles to meet ultra-low emission (ULEV) standards has been extended following public consultation.
Currently, Woking has 58 licensed wheelchair accessible vehicles, but only three of these meet ULEV standards.
The new deadline for existing vehicles of 31 March 2030 will give drivers more time to access suitable vehicles and allow supporting infrastructure to develop further.
Cllr Liam Lyons, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regulation and Local Government Reorganisation, and Chair of the Licensing Committee, said:
Having listened carefully to the concerns raised by drivers and community groups, we are committed to striking the right balance between environmental progress and public accessibility.
I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation. Your feedback has been invaluable in shaping this decision.
Extending the deadline for existing wheelchair accessible vehicles to 2030 gives the licensed taxi trade more time to transition to cleaner vehicles, whilst ensuring that wheelchair users and others who rely on accessible transport aren’t left behind.
The eight-week public consultation received 228 responses from a range of stakeholders, including licensed drivers, members of the public and community organisations.
More than 78% of respondents supported extending the current deadline, whilst maintaining momentum towards cleaner transport standards.
The Licensing Committee approved the deadline extension at its meeting on 16 September 2025, and the change will take immediate effect.