London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged the government to impose limits on the number of robotaxis allowed to operate in the city as regulatory approval for fully autonomous vehicles approaches. Khan expressed concern that policymakers have not adequately understood the rapid pace of technological change and emphasized the need for comprehensive regulations before any large-scale deployment occurs.
Multiple companies are advancing autonomous vehicle services in London. Uber began offering limited passenger services in September using self-driving cars with safety drivers present. Freenow by Lyft, which is testing Chinese-made Baidu robotaxis in the London borough of Brent, aims to launch fully driverless operations as early as next year under a national licensing framework. Waymo, which operates robotaxis in San Francisco and other US cities, is also focusing expansion efforts on London.
Khan identified several unresolved issues requiring attention before widespread adoption, including potential impacts on air quality, traffic congestion, and employment for private hire and black-cab drivers. He noted that London’s complex urban environment—encompassing nearly 10 million residents, narrow streets, and diverse neighborhoods—requires careful implementation distinct from other cities. Current regulations limit Transport for London’s authority to approve or deny autonomous vehicle use but do not allow the authority to manage or license robotaxi services directly.
Driver unions have organized protests at the London offices of autonomous vehicle companies, with many ride-hailing drivers expressing concerns about their livelihoods. Freenow by Lyft stated it is working closely with TfL to navigate regulatory requirements. The company indicated that displaced taxi drivers could potentially find employment in depot operations and remote vehicle servicing roles. According to Freenow by Lyft, the black-cab industry faces demographic pressures independent of autonomous vehicles, with two-thirds of drivers over age 50 and high vehicle costs limiting entry to the profession.
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