Stricter emissions standards for London taxis are now in force and meeting Euro I requirements will no longer be sufficient.

All taxis in the capital will – from now on – need to feature emission-reducing technology by the time they undergo their annual licensing inspection.

"Cleaning up the environment and promoting a green agenda is a top priority for London," said Mayor Ken Livingstone. "London has the worst air quality in the UK and last year air pollution was estimated to have caused 1,000 premature deaths in the capital.

"London's taxis will now play their part to improve air quality by installing equipment to make vehicles less polluting. This is one of a number of measures I am putting in place to improve air quality in London," he added.

Taxis are believed to contribute nearly a fifth of the nitrogen oxide and over a third of the particulate matter emissions in the capital's air.

Discussing extant methods in place, the Mayor of London pointed out that the congestion charging initiative has brought "most harmful vehicle emissions in the zone down by 13 to 15 per cent".

By mid-2008, taxis will need to comply with the new Euro III emissions regulations.

Catalytic converters, which filter harmful emissions from diesel and petrol engines, often feature a platinum or pgm catalyst.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd