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We all benefit from fewer old diesels on the road.

I believe that from 2018, all new London taxis will have to be zero emission capable.

On the other hand, the "capable" may be weasel wording. It seems that the taxi being discussed is a hybrid with quite a short range (70 miles?). It can be recharged at a point, but can also be recharged via its petrol engine, which may run for lengthy periods if there are no quick charging points available (not many at the moment in London).

Seems like a smallish step in the right direction.

Petrol-electric hybrids are a vast improvement over the ancient, stinking, noisy, toxic NOx and particulate-spewing diesels that plague London's streets today.

Plug-in hybrids with a decent electric range are even better.

True, and they don't seem politically willing to ban diesels in London, given the government encouraged their purchase in the first place.

In three years only emissions-free vehicles will be allowed in central London.

False. But I wish this was true!

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