Anyone else appalled?

Not really, given that they already have a pretty comprehensive strategy for getting rid of the diesel-belchers over the next few years:
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/emissions-standards-for-taxis

For example, the following are already in place:

• A ban on taxis more than 15 years old
• Active consultation on reducing this limit to 12 years
• No new licences issued for new diesel taxis since the end of 2017
• Zero emissions capability required for new registrations since the end of 2017

Plus, they're actually paying taxi owners to de-licence vehicles that are younger that 15 years but don't meet the latest standards.

EU6 diesel cars may look good on paper but the reality is they aren't, VW have taken all the flack for cheating but they're not the only ones doing it and they're also far from the worst with most cars failing to meet EU6 limits in reality and some massively failing to do so:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/26/extremely-polluting-nissan-and-renault-diesel-cars-still-on-sale-data-reveals

An EU4 taxi may look a lot worse on paper but the reality is it isn't at least until they sort out testing and actually enforce the limits for newer cars.

In addition to that they have a strategy in place to reduce and eliminate the diesel taxis while there's going to be plenty of dirty private EU6 diesel cars that are allowed to use the ULEZ belching out their dirty fumes and won't be removed soon, I'd be a lot more worried about those. Curiously no-one seems to though.

If Khan was really serious about air pollution and in particular, diesel pollution, then he should get rid of or tax the new London Cruise Ship Terminal, which will be responsible for more air pollution than the whole of the UK, depending on the size and number of ships at any one time.
The World's 15 largest ships emit more polluting gases than ALL the cars in the World.


https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2017/03/11/green-finance-for-dirty-ships

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

No other vehicles have been given exemptions.

Not true, the following are exempt:

• Residents of Central London - until October 2021
• Registered disabled passenger vehicles - until October 2025
• Private hire vehicles that are wheelchair accessible - until October 2025
• Military vehicles
• Vehicles over 40 years old
• Agricultural vehicles, diggers, JCBs etc.

The main reason I don't see the exemption as an outrage is because it would be largely pointless for taxis. Experience of the Congestion Charge shows that private car drivers and business vehicles will avoid Central London or switch to public transport where they are able to do so in order to avoid paying the extra cost. That doesn't apply to taxi drivers as they have to enter Cental London to work. You could rake in extra cash by charging them, but none of them are likely to give up their livelihood or scrap their vehicle because of a £12.50 daily charge.

Don't get me wrong - I never use taxis, have never driven a taxi and tend to think there are more efficient ways we could use roadspace and fuel to transport people. But they are a useful part of the transport network (especially for disabled people who stuggle to access the Tube) and I believe the existing plans for getting the more polluting taxis off the road will be far more effective than arbitrary charging would be.