London mayor urges government to limit robotaxi rollout

Sadiq Khan has called for a strict cap on the number of robotaxis permitted on London’s streets, warning that the city’s infrastructure and labour market are ill-equipped to handle an unregulated surge in autonomous vehicles. The mayor’s intervention comes as the UK government prepares to allow fully driverless vehicles to operate in the capital, a move that has sparked debate over the balance between technological innovation and urban management. Khan argued that current regulatory frameworks are insufficient to address the potential consequences of widespread adoption, urging for a more cautious, incremental approach to deployment.

The controversy has intensified following recent developments in the sector, including the unveiling of Chinese robotaxis by Freenow by Lyft, a competitor to Uber. These vehicles, manufactured by Baidu, are currently undergoing testing in London. In September, Uber began offering limited passenger services using Wayve’s self-driving cars, although these operations still require a safety driver in the front seat and operate under a licence from Transport for London. Freenow by Lyft aims to launch fully driverless Baidu robotaxis as early as next year, relying on a national licensing scheme rather than local municipal controls. Other major players, such as Waymo, which already operates in San Francisco and other US cities, are also focusing their expansion efforts on the London market.

Khan criticised politicians for failing to grasp the rapid pace of technological change, stating that there is a risk of a “big bang” rollout without proper regulation in place. He emphasised the need for fit-for-purpose rules before any mass deployment of automated vehicles. The mayor highlighted several unanswered questions regarding the impact of these vehicles on air quality, traffic congestion, and the livelihoods of private hire and black-taxi drivers. He noted that London is a distinct environment, characterised by narrow roads and a population of almost 10 million people spread across 400 villages, which differs significantly from the cities where autonomous vehicles are currently operating successfully in the United States.

Under current regulations, Transport for London can only grant or refuse consent for the use of fully autonomous vehicles within the city but lacks the authority to manage or license robotaxi services. This limitation has led to a divergence in enthusiasm between the capital’s authorities and central government ministers. Despite this, Freenow by Lyft has expressed confidence in the UK’s national framework for driverless cars. Danny O’Gorman, the company’s UK and Ireland general manager, described the regulatory environment as an important factor for investment, while acknowledging that specific operational regulations still need to be refined once services are live. The company is currently testing approximately 24 autonomous Baidu Apollo Go vehicles in the London borough of Brent.

The vehicles, which feature amenities such as massage seats and built-in touchscreens, are already in fully autonomous service in cities in China and the UAE. However, O’Gorman admitted that many test trips still require human intervention, particularly when navigating roadworks. He noted that a significant challenge for autonomous vehicles in London is adhering to the rules of the road, as many human drivers ignore them, leading to situations where the vehicles are beeped at for strictly following speed limits. To address concerns over job losses, Freenow by Lyft has promised to build a purpose-built autonomous vehicle depot in the UK. O’Gorman suggested that a large proportion of displaced taxi drivers could be employed in remote operating and servicing roles at this facility.

The company has traditionally worked with black cabs, and O’Gorman argued that the larger risks to that industry stem from the age profile of drivers, with two-thirds being over 50 and facing retirement, as well as the high cost of vehicles. He maintained that autonomous vehicles are not currently competing in that specific space and that it will take a long time to scale up vehicle numbers to a level that would threaten the existing taxi industry. Drivers’ unions have recently held protests at the London headquarters of Wayve and Waymo, reflecting growing anxiety among Uber drivers about their future in the changing transport landscape.