Taxi sector grows with record accessibility and electric vehicles
Ireland’s taxi industry has expanded with notable increases in licensed drivers, wheelchair accessible vehicles, and electric taxis. Recent data from the National Transport Authority highlights enhanced availability, safety, and sustainability across the sector during 2025.
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⏱️ 2 min read
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has released detailed insights into Ireland’s taxi sector, based on its latest Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) Bulletin and consumer research conducted in March 2026. These reports reveal a growing fleet that includes more licensed drivers, wheelchair accessible vehicles, and electric taxis than ever before.
Passenger feedback indicates improved ease of access to taxis, with 76% of consumers finding it straightforward to get a taxi on their most recent trip. Safety perceptions remain high, as 97% of passengers feel secure waiting at taxi ranks and 89% when hailing taxis on the street. The WAV Grant Scheme supported this growth by issuing 519 grants in 2025, increasing the wheelchair accessible fleet to 4,781 vehicles—accounting for 23% of the total SPSV fleet and setting a new record.
The number of SPSV drivers rose to 27,891 in 2025, marking the highest figure in a decade, with 1,893 new licences granted that year. New drivers tend to work peak weekend hours, aiding Ireland’s nightlife economy. Additionally, the sector is advancing its environmental goals with 3,306 fully electric SPSVs by the end of 2025, a 25% rise from the previous year, saving drivers an average of €95 weekly in running costs. These developments will guide the NTA’s SPSV Regulation Action Plan 2026-2028, which includes upcoming public consultations on operator regulation, advertising, and fleet decarbonisation.
Passenger feedback indicates improved ease of access to taxis, with 76% of consumers finding it straightforward to get a taxi on their most recent trip. Safety perceptions remain high, as 97% of passengers feel secure waiting at taxi ranks and 89% when hailing taxis on the street. The WAV Grant Scheme supported this growth by issuing 519 grants in 2025, increasing the wheelchair accessible fleet to 4,781 vehicles—accounting for 23% of the total SPSV fleet and setting a new record.
The number of SPSV drivers rose to 27,891 in 2025, marking the highest figure in a decade, with 1,893 new licences granted that year. New drivers tend to work peak weekend hours, aiding Ireland’s nightlife economy. Additionally, the sector is advancing its environmental goals with 3,306 fully electric SPSVs by the end of 2025, a 25% rise from the previous year, saving drivers an average of €95 weekly in running costs. These developments will guide the NTA’s SPSV Regulation Action Plan 2026-2028, which includes upcoming public consultations on operator regulation, advertising, and fleet decarbonisation.
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