Uber to raise London fares early next year

The cab app said a "clean air" fee of 15p per mile will be added to prices from early 2019.

Currently, Uber charges a standard fee of £1.25 per mile for journeys in Greater London, on top of a £2.50 base fee – although journey costs can go up at certain busier times.

The firm expects this to raise more than £200 million over the next few years, which will be used to help drivers swap to electric cars.

Uber says it wants 20,000 cars on its app in London to be fully electric by the end of 2021, increasing to every car by 2025. There are currently around 45,000 Uber drivers in the capital.

See our  for a host of cheap ways to travel in the capital.

What does Uber say?

Speaking today, Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said the firm's clean air plan is "the first of its kind for Uber around the world".

He went on: "The Mayor of London has set out a bold vision to tackle air pollution in the capital and we're determined to do everything we can to back it.

"Our £200 million clean air plan is a long-term investment in the future of London aimed at going all electric in the capital in 2025.

"Over time, it's our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of mobility options – whether cars, bikes, scooters or public transport – all in the Uber app."