Taxi companies pointed out the risk of being left without business sedans and minivans

Currently, there are no potentially suitable models of localized cars for taxis in the Comfort+, Business, and Minivans segments in Russia. This was stated by Irina Zaripova, chairman of the Public Council for taxi development, according to the analytical agency Autostat on June 5. This may lead to a decrease in the availability and quality of services in these tariffs, she said.

Lada and Moskvich models, as well as Xcite X-Cross 7 and X-Cross 8 crossovers and Evolute i-Pro and i-Joy electric vehicles, are considered to comply with the law on taxi localization, explained Pavel Stennikov, head of the Maxim Public Relations department. He stated that "the domestic car industry has nothing to offer in terms of Business and Minivan tariffs."

Daniil Kurashev, Citymobil's Chief Operating Officer, expressed hope that automakers will expand the range of models suitable for taxis, as there is still time for this.

To carry in Russian: The State Duma has relaxed the requirements for taxi cars

How will the new rules affect the cost of transportation

On June 2, it was reported that taxi rides could rise in price by 30% due to the new law on the localization of cars for transportation. It is expensive to change cars in taxi companies, especially given the high key rate, the unavailability of preferential leases and loans, as well as rising prices for maintenance and spare parts, she said.

Prior to that, on May 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on the localization of taxi cars. The law comes into force on March 1, 2026, but in some regions the new requirements will take effect later. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will prepare information on cars localized in Russia that meet the criteria for use in taxis by the end of 2025.