Russia introduces a list of cars allowed as taxis. Mostly junk

Until recently, the Russian taxi market was one of the most open segments of the automotive market. The state almost did not regulate which cars could be used for work. The main thing was that the car met technical requirements and was included in the regional taxi registry. Therefore, taxi fleets and drivers chose models that were most profitable for intensive use.

According to one industry study, in 2025, the most popular car in Russian taxis was the Hyundai Solaris. Kia Rio took second place. Together, these two models — relatively cheap, as they are Russian screwdriver assembly — made up about 40% of the country's taxi fleet. Lada Granta was only in third place. It was followed by Volkswagen Polo and Renault Logan — also screwdriver assembly.

Taxis are one of the largest car purchase markets in Russia. It is estimated that about 1.2 million such cars operate in the country. Taxis are updated on average every five to six years, which means a demand for approximately 200,000 new cars annually. This is about 15% of the entire Russian market for new cars.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the Russian authorities decided to use this segment as a tool to support their own automotive industry.

According to the law on taxi localization, which came into force on March 1, 2026, for a car to be included in the regional taxi registry, one of two conditions must be met: it must either score at least 3200 points in terms of localization level (using the same system as in public procurement), or be produced under a special investment contract (SPIC) concluded between March 1, 2022, and March 1, 2025.

What does the list look like?

Only after the law came into force did the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia publish the final list of cars permitted for use as taxis. It contains 22 models.

Most represented on the list are "AvtoVAZ" cars — seven Lada models: Granta, Iskra, Vesta, Niva Travel, Niva Legend, Largus, and Aura.

Another six models from the "Moskvich" brand: "Moskvich 3", "Moskvich 3e", "Moskvich 6", "Moskvich 8", as well as models M70 and M90.

The remaining positions were taken by less well-known brands that appeared in the Russian automotive industry after 2022.

Two models on the list are Sollers SP7 and Sollers SF1. The SP7 is a large passenger minivan, essentially a version of the Chinese JAC Refine RF8, and the SF1 is a compact commercial van.

Another three models belong to the Evolute brand — I-Joy, I-Sky, and I-Space. These are actually adapted versions of Chinese models from the Dongfeng concern, but assembled in Russia.

The list also includes three Voyah brand models — Free, Dream, and Passion. This is a premium brand from the same Chinese concern Dongfeng. These cars are aimed at the more expensive market segment and will most likely be used in business-class taxis.

Another item on the list is UMO 5. This is an electric crossover that has just begun to be produced in Russia as part of a new localization project. It is based on the Chinese GAC Aion Y Plus model.

According to the new rules, new cars for taxis must only be from this list. Foreign cars already operating as taxis will not be immediately banned: they will be allowed to run until they are fully worn out. But it will no longer be possible to purchase a new such car for work.

However, exceptions are provided for individual regions. In the Kaliningrad region and regions of the Siberian Federal District, the law will come into effect on March 1, 2028, and in the Far East — on March 1, 2030.

At the same time, the list itself may change. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia states that in the future, it may include, for example, Haval Jolion, Haval F7, and Haval F7x crossovers, which are produced at the plant near Tula, as well as the Tenet T7 model, whose production is being set up at the former Volkswagen plant in Kaluga.

However, there is no mention of Geely yet, whose cars are produced in Belarus and are popular in Russia. As follows from the authorities' decision, the Union State is the Union State, but priority is given primarily to Russia's own production.

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