Kurdistan Government unveils new measure to encourage clean fuel taxis

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has introduced a new policy to encourage taxi owners to replace aging vehicles with newer, environmentally friendly models, including LPG-powered, in an effort to reduce emissions, improve public services, and modernise the fleet.

“In a new step, the Ministry of Interior, aiming to renew taxis throughout the region, raise the level of environmental protection, improve passenger services, and implement new technical standards… [has] reopened the registration of new taxis after several years of suspension,” the ministry said in a statement.

The new measure, announced on April 28, prioritises vehicles that meet updated technical and environmental standards, including Autogas, hybrid, and fully electric cars. As an incentive, administration fees to register taxis will be waived for certain eco-friendly vehicles.

With limited public transit options, taxis play a vital role in the Kurdistan Region’s transportation network, serving as a primary means of daily transport for thousands. In urban centres like Erbil and Sulaimani, where bus routes are sparse and schedules inconsistent, residents often rely on taxis to commute to work, access services, and travel between districts. The volume of vehicles on the road, however, is damaging to the environment.

To qualify for a taxi registration, vehicles must be newly imported and meet the safety, environmental, and mechanical standards outlined in the KRG’s 2021 import regulation that states imported vehicles cannot be more than two years old, must comply with at least Euro 4 standards that set strict limits on exhaust emissions, and pass a mechanical inspection.

Source: Rudaw

Photo: Unsplash