Taxi drivers strike across Greece

Taxi drivers across Greece have launched a nationwide strike to protest government regulations mandating a swift transition to electric vehicles and to challenge competition from rival ride-hailing services. The Athens taxi strike began Tuesday and will continue through Friday morning, while taxi drivers throughout the rest of Greece are participating in a two-day walkout on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to union representatives, the strike centers on a January 1 deadline requiring all new taxi licenses in Athens and Thessaloniki to operate electric-powered vehicles. The industrial action has disrupted transportation services across the country, leaving residents and tourists scrambling for alternative travel options during the multi-day work stoppage.

Electric Vehicle Mandate Sparks Controversy

The Greek government’s new regulation stipulates that any taxi receiving fresh operating permits in the nation’s two largest cities must be electric as of the start of this year. However, taxi driver unions argue the timeline is unrealistic given the current infrastructure limitations in both metropolitan areas.

Union leaders have voiced strong opposition to the electric vehicle transition deadline, pointing to insufficient charging infrastructure as a critical barrier. They contend that Athens and Thessaloniki lack the necessary recharging facilities to support a fleet of electric taxis, making it impractical for drivers to meet the requirement while maintaining regular service.

Demands for Extended Timeline

Taxi driver representatives are calling for the government to postpone the electric vehicle mandate by several years. They maintain that adequate charging station networks must be established before drivers can reasonably be expected to operate electric taxis without significant service disruptions or financial hardship.

Additionally, the strike addresses broader concerns about competition from alternative chauffeur services that have entered the Greek market in recent years. Taxi drivers have expressed frustration over what they perceive as unequal regulatory treatment between traditional cab services and newer ride-hailing platforms.

Protest Actions and Service Disruptions

Meanwhile, Athens taxi drivers have organized a protest convoy scheduled for Wednesday, with plans to drive to the capital’s international airport. The demonstration aims to draw public and governmental attention to their demands regarding both the electric vehicle timeline and competitive practices in the transportation sector.

The three-day Athens taxi strike is set to conclude at 6 a.m. Friday, while drivers in other Greek cities will return to work after their two-day stoppage ends Thursday evening. During the walkout period, travelers have been forced to rely on public transportation, private vehicles, or ride-hailing alternatives to meet their mobility needs.

Infrastructure Challenges

In contrast to the government’s ambitious electrification goals, taxi operators argue that the practical realities on the ground do not support such a rapid transition. The limited number of public charging stations in Athens and Thessaloniki poses operational challenges, potentially leading to longer downtimes for drivers who need to recharge their vehicles multiple times during work shifts.

Furthermore, the financial burden of purchasing electric vehicles represents a significant concern for individual taxi license holders, many of whom operate as small business owners. The combination of high upfront costs and infrastructure uncertainty has fueled resistance to the January 1 implementation date.

The outcome of the strike remains uncertain, with no immediate indication that government officials plan to modify the electric vehicle mandate timeline. Negotiations between taxi driver unions and authorities will likely determine whether any adjustments to the policy or its implementation schedule will be considered in the coming weeks.