London Robotaxi Launch Slips Past 2026 as TfL Withholds Guidance for 15 Licensed Vehicles
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 26
London Robotaxi Launch Slips Past 2026 as TfL Withholds Guidance for 15 Licensed Vehicles
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 26
Summary
London’s first fully driverless taxi services are now unlikely to launch in 2026 because Transport for London has yet to publish the rules companies need to seek approval.
TfL told lawmakers last month it would not start accepting applications “for some time,” slowing a timetable the UK government had brought forward to spring 2026 for commercial driverless trials.
Uber and Wayve can still begin small paid pilots soon using 15 licensed Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles, but each trip must include a TfL-licensed safety driver able to intervene.
Waymo is also waiting on TfL guidance while pursuing a year-end autonomous launch, and Baidu’s Apollo Go only began London testing last month with public rides planned for 2027.
More than 100,000 Londoners have joined Uber and Wayve’s waitlist, underscoring demand as London falls behind robotaxi rollouts already operating in 20-plus cities globally.