For many it went unnoticed during the drafting of the decree, but it can have very real effects on the street: the new regulation that will regulate cab and VTC introduces a minimum length of 4.60 meters for passenger cars and reserves the reduction to 4.35 meters only to pure electric cars. In practice, hybrids, which until the first versions of the text enjoyed this treatment , will no longer have it. A point of the regulation that generates uncertainty among some cab drivers on the island because of the impact it would have once the text is approved.
How and why it was changed
The first and second versions of the draft called for 4.70 meters and opened an exception to 4.35 meters for “electric (mixed or hybrid)” and other alternative energies.
In the third version came two twists: on the one hand, the Govern lowered the general bar to 4.60 meters following a request from the cab employers’ association to be able to operate better in historic centers; on the other, it narrowed the exception to 100% electric (and alternative fuel express) after FITIB warned that the wording was confusing and did not clearly distinguish hybrids and electrics.
The fourth version maintains this scheme and equalizes it for cab and VTC. As background, the report cites the state framework, where the threshold of 4.60 meters is already used as a technical reference.
What does it mean for hybrids under 4.60 meters?
With the current text, all hybrids (HEV or plug-in) must measure at least 4.60 meters to enter or be replaced in the fleet; only pure electric cars are allowed to reach 4.35 meters. The Conselleria de Movilidad has not answered – to questions from La Voz de Ibiza –what will happen with cars already bought by some cab drivers for seasonal service 2025 that do not reach that measurement. Until now, without a single autonomic standard, each city council defined by ordinance the admitted models (normally, those approved by the cab brands).
The Agrupación de Autotaxi de Baleares (part of the FEBT) reports that the change generates uncertainty among professionals who were planning to renew with hybrids -Kia, Dacia or Hyundai, among others- that do not reach 4.60 meters.
According to Joan Marí Riera, when the FEBT asked to reduce the minimum required length from 4.70 to 4.60 meters, it did not contemplate the possibility that hybrids would also be impacted by this measure. The Agrupación de Autotaxi de Baleares, the minority association of Ibiza, has consulted the FITIE (integrated in FITIB) as to why this change has been motivated, without obtaining an answer.
La Voz de Ibiza has asked FITIE and FITIB about this matter and has not received any answer so far.
In the meantime, the idea is circulating of changing the vehicle’s classification to Public Service (SP) in order to register it before the decree is approved and thus “shield“it. In any case, this procedure does not replace the conditions of the regional regulations or the ordinances.
The draft does not include a specific additional transitional provision on the length of the car. On the other hand, the text contemplates in point 4 of Article 19 that the Govern will carry out revisions on the requirements of the vehicles.
Models that could be affected
The standard may impact hybrids below 4.60 meters. For example, this impacts some versions of the Toyota Prius of generations around 4.59 meters, Kia Niro HEV/PHEV, Hyundai Ioniq HEV/PHEV, some short MPVs like older Touran, or compact SUVs like Qashqai/3008.
They do comply (or are on the edge) models such as Škoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, Toyota RAV4 (at the limit), VW Passat Variant, Škoda Superb, or vans like Mercedes Vito. Pure electrics exceeding 4.35 meters could enter by exception.
The draft unifies the length requirement for cab and VTC: minimum 4.60 meters in general and 4.35 meters only for pure electric vehicles (and listed alternative energies). Precisely, equalizing performance is one of the keys of the new regional framework.
Remainder of the procedure
The unease in the Agrupación de Autotaxi de Baleares (Balearic Association of Autotaxi) lies in the fact that these substantial modifications were made after the period of allegations (and, in fact, respond to allegations made).
As explained weeks ago by the Directorate of Mobility of the Balearic Government, after all the requested reports are issued, the file will pass to the Legal Services of the Conselleria. The latter will issue a report and then it will be submitted to the
