Toyota Prius PCO hire: what to know before you rent

The Prius comes as a normal hybrid or a plug-in hybrid. In London, the one you rent changes the licensing rules and some of the charges you pay.

Last reviewed 19 October 2026

Toyota Prius PCO cars for hire

Example Toyota Prius cars in London from rental companies on Kharo, with the weekly rent. Register or message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you arrange one.

The two kinds of Prius

  • Prius hybrid (4th generation) 1.8 litre petrol hybrid, 121 bhp. 59.6 to 68.3 mpg (WLTP). Boot: 457 litres. You fill it with petrol. It cannot be plugged in.
  • Prius plug-in hybrid (5th generation) 2.0 litre petrol plug-in hybrid, 223 hp. Up to 53 miles on electric power (WLTP). Boot: 284 litres. You charge it from a plug, and it uses petrol when the battery runs low.
  • See Toyota cars on Kharo

TfL's rules in London

  • A car licensed with TfL for the first time must be zero emission capable (ZEC) and meet Euro 6
  • ZEC means the car gives out no more than 50g/km of CO2 and can drive at least 10 miles with zero emissions. A plug-in hybrid with up to 75g/km can count if it drives at least 20 miles on electric power
  • The normal Prius hybrid cannot drive on electric power for that long, so TfL only licenses one that already has a TfL licence
  • A car that already has a TfL licence can be licensed again until it is 10 years old
  • TfL's emissions rules
  • ZEC (zero emission capable) (glossary)
  • Euro 6 (glossary)
  • Age limit (glossary)

Which Uber and Bolt trips it can take

  • UberX Yes. For UberX, Uber accepts any car with a private hire licence from a council it approves. Uber's London list covers its other trip types, not UberX.
  • Comfort, Exec and Electric No. Uber's London list does not show the Prius for these. Uber Electric needs a fully electric car.
  • Bolt Bolt's main category asks for 4 doors and at least 4 passenger seats, which the Prius has. The Prius is not on Bolt's London lists for Comfort or Electric.
  • Which cars you can use for Uber in London
  • Uber car types (glossary)

Running costs in London

  • Fuel or charging The hybrid runs on petrol. The plug-in can use battery power for shorter trips if you charge it, and petrol after that.
  • Congestion Charge Private hire cars are not exempt. It is £18 a day if you pay on the day or before. Fully electric cars get a 25% discount with Auto Pay. The discount is for fully electric cars only, so both kinds of Prius pay in full.
  • ULEZ Petrol cars that meet Euro 4 do not pay the ULEZ charge. Check any car with TfL's vehicle checker.
  • Tunnels Zero emission capable private hire cars on a booking do not pay the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges. The normal hybrid is not zero emission capable, so it pays.
  • Hybrid or electric: which to rent
  • Congestion Charge (glossary)
  • ULEZ (glossary)

Check these before you rent a Prius

  • Is it the hybrid or the plug-in? The agreement should say.
  • The car's TfL private hire licence is in date
  • For a hybrid, how old it is. TfL stops licensing it at 10 years.
  • For a plug-in, where you will charge it
  • Which Uber and Bolt trips the rental company says it can take
  • Who pays for tyres and damage. On Kharo, the rental company books and pays for servicing and repairs
  • Rent a PCO car in London
  • Browse all cars

Other cars

More guides

  • PCO car hire, with every cost shown up front PCO car hire means renting a car licensed for private hire, so you can drive for Uber, Bolt and other apps. On Kharo you see the rent, deposit and insurance before you apply.
  • What is a PCO car? A PCO car is a car licensed for private hire in London, so a driver can carry passengers who book a ride. Here is what the name means and the rules the car must meet.
  • Private hire car hire for minicab and app drivers Private hire car hire means renting a car licensed as a private hire vehicle (PHV), the kind minicab and app drivers use. On Kharo you see the rent, deposit and insurance before you apply.
  • Rent a car for Uber and Bolt To drive for Uber or Bolt you need a car with a private hire licence. If you do not own one, you can rent one, priced by the week and paid monthly. Kharo lists cars from rental companies, with every cost shown.
  • Rent a car for Bolt To drive for Bolt you need a car with a private hire licence. If you do not own one, you can rent one from a rental company.
  • Which cars can you use for Uber in London? In London, the car needs a TfL private hire licence first. Then Uber has its own rules for each type of trip.
  • Hybrid or electric: which PCO car should you rent? Both can work for private hire. In London, the rules for new cars, the Congestion Charge and the trips you can take are different for each.
  • The most common PCO cars in London TfL publishes a list of every licensed private hire vehicle in London. We counted the cars on it, so you can see which models drivers use most.
  • What PCO car hire costs What renting a private hire car costs, from the weekly rent to the deposit. The prices come from the cars on Kharo, which show what rental companies charge.
  • How a PCO car hire deposit works Most rental companies ask for a deposit before you collect a PCO car. Here is how it works, and what to check before you pay.
  • PCO car insurance, explained To drive a PCO car for work, you need insurance that covers carrying passengers for money. Here is what to look for before you rent.
  • Renting a PCO car with penalty points Points on your licence do not always stop you renting a PCO car. But they change who will rent to you, and what your insurance costs.
  • How to get a PCO licence A PCO licence is a private hire driver licence. You need one to drive for Uber, Bolt or any private hire company. In London it comes from TfL, and outside London from your local council.

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Questions

Can a Toyota Prius be licensed as a new PCO car in London?

Only the plug-in Prius, which can drive on electric power far enough for TfL's zero emission capable rule. A normal Prius hybrid can only be licensed again if it already has a TfL licence and is under 10 years old.

Can I do Uber Comfort in a Prius?

No. Uber's list for London does not show the Prius for Comfort.

Does a Prius pay the Congestion Charge?

Yes. Private hire cars are not exempt, and the discount is for fully electric cars only.

Can I rent a Prius on Kharo today?

Cars are not booked online yet. You can see the cars and prices now. Register your interest or message us on WhatsApp, and we'll help you arrange a car.