Electric taxis: rules, fares and which cars can be used in Istanbul
In Istanbul, 100% electric cars can be used as yellow, turquoise and app-based taxis; however, taxis are not required to be electric. Under the 20 July 2026 tariff, electric taxis above the C segment charge the D-segment fare: 82.73 TL flag fall and 55.10 TL per kilometre. There is no ÖTV (special consumption tax) discount specifically for electric taxis.
By: Şarj Rehberim · Updated: · 4 min read
Short answer
According to the January 2026 taxi segment list of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), 100% electric cars can be used in Istanbul as yellow, turquoise and app-based taxis; the list names Tesla, Togg and BYD as examples. There is no decision by UKOME (the municipal transport coordination board) requiring taxis to be electric or hybrid.
The concessions for electric taxis concern vehicle age and segment: an electric car is accepted as a turquoise taxi from the C segment upwards, and the age limit is more flexible for luxury and app-based taxis.
Electric taxi rules in Istanbul
- Turquoise taxi: at least a D-segment sedan or a 100% electric car of at least C segment; 0–4 years old when first acquired, at most 9 years old.
- Black (luxury) taxi: at most 9 model years for fossil-fuel cars, at most 10 model years for electric cars.
- App-based taxi: if the car is electric, being at least C segment is enough; there is no age requirement.
- Electric models named in the segment list: Hyundai IONIQ 6, Volkswagen ID.7 and Mercedes-Benz EQV 300 for turquoise; Audi e-tron GT, BYD Han, Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS, and Porsche Taycan for luxury.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): IBB Taxi Transport Directive (art. 8) · IBB taxi segment list (January 2026)
Electric taxi fares (Istanbul, from 20 July 2026)
The July 2026 tariff created a separate category for electric taxis; there was no such distinction in the February 2026 tariff. A ride in an electric taxi above the C segment costs about 15% more than in a yellow taxi.
| Category | Flag fall | Per kilometre | Minimum fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| C segment and below (yellow) | 71.94 TL | 47.92 TL | 230 TL |
| D segment and 100% electric above C | 82.73 TL | 55.10 TL | 265 TL |
| Converted taxis (8+1) | 93.52 TL | 62.29 TL | 300 TL |
| Luxury | 122.30 TL | 81.46 TL | 400 TL |
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): IBB taxi fare tariff (20.07.2026) · IBB taxi fare tariff (16.02.2026)
ÖTV and other cities
- ÖTV: the taxi-specific ÖTV exemption ended on 30 June 2019 and was not extended. Electric taxis are taxed like other electric cars, at rates starting from 25% depending on power and price.
- No UKOME decision or pilot project specific to electric taxis was found on the websites of the Ankara, İzmir, Antalya, Bursa, Kocaeli, Konya, Mersin and Gaziantep municipalities.
- No official information was found indicating that taxi-hailing apps offer a filter for choosing an electric taxi.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): ÖTV Law no. 4760 (provisional art. 7)
Frequently asked questions
- Are there electric taxis in Istanbul?
- Yes. Under IBB rules, 100% electric cars can be used as yellow, turquoise and app-based taxis; however, taxis are not required to be electric.
- How much does an electric taxi cost?
- Under Istanbul's 20 July 2026 tariff, electric taxis above the C segment charge 82.73 TL flag fall, 55.10 TL per kilometre and a minimum fare of 265 TL.
- Can a Togg be a taxi?
- Yes. IBB's January 2026 taxi segment list states that 100% electric cars such as Togg, Tesla and BYD can be used as taxis.
- Is there an ÖTV discount for electric taxis?
- No. The taxi-specific ÖTV exemption ended in 2019; electric taxis are subject to the normal ÖTV rates for electric cars.