Private hire firm Addison Lee has invested £30 million in a 600-strong fleet of hybrid VW Multivans. 

The new vehicles will replace the remaining diesel people carriers on the fleet, with Addison Lee’s entire standard passenger fleet set to be zero emission capable by April 2024.

With more than 1,000 fully electric ID4s already on its fleet, Addison Lee says it has invested significantly in sustainable vehicles as well as in London’s infrastructure to ensure drivers have access to reliable charging options.

The acquisition earlier this year of sustainable operator Green Tomato Cars further strengthened the fleet’s environmental credentials.

Meanwhile Addison Lee has built strategic partnerships with BP Pulse, ChargePoint and Bonnet, as well as an investment of £150,000 to install ultra-rapid charging points at the company’s West Drayton fleet hub.

Addison Lee CEO, Liam Griffin, said: “As the first private hire operator in London to introduce electric vehicles at scale, we remain committed to operating a zero emissions fleet. However, our experience has since shown us that we need to be pragmatic about how we achieve this.

“Right now, there is neither the availability of vehicles nor robust enough charging infrastructure in London to go fully electric at speed and scale. That’s why we’re investing today in a broader range of sustainable options to meet current demand from passengers - while remaining committed to our long-term goal of full electrification.

“It’s critical that we have both the right infrastructure and regulation in place to allow us to achieve this. That’s why we’re asking the Mayor of London to reconsider his plans to abolish the congestion charge exemption for electric vehicles.

“Removing this vital incentive will make it more costly to operate electric vehicles in the capital and jeopardise his net zero 2030 ambition for the city.”