The eSPSV (Electric Small Public Service Vehicle) Grant Scheme provides financial support to taxi drivers, hackney operators, and limousine drivers who purchase electric vehicles (EVs) as part of Ireland’s initiative to reduce emissions in the transport sector.
Taxi drivers purchasing an EV or PHEV from Windsor can now claim up to €20,000 in grants towards a new electric vehicle when they scrap an old, high-mileage petrol or diesel vehicle.
Additionally, drivers can apply for grants of up to €10,000 towards battery replacement for their electric vehicles.
This means that, in total, up to €25,000 in grants is available to those scrapping their old taxi or hackney for a new electric or PHEV vehicle—double the amount offered in 2020.
This grant is non-repayable, and the amount varies depending on the vehicle's type and age. Extra incentives are available for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Applicants must hold a valid SPSV (Small Public Service Vehicle) license, and the scheme is specifically for those replacing older vehicles with more environmentally friendly electric or hybrid alternatives.
When Dublin taxi driver Paul Clooney told his work colleagues that he was going to ditch his diesel taxi after twenty years and make the switch to a Nissan LEAF EV he was greeted with the same response - ‘you’ll never make it work’.
As a taxi driver working 12 hour days, driving up to 2,000 kilometres during working weeks and an average of 70,000 kilometres a year, Paul was not surprised when his fellow drivers at Gala Cabs in Lucan challenged him on the wisdom of buying a 100% electric vehicle for use as a taxi.
“A lot of taxi drivers said to me that I’d never make it work, but I’d done my homework. It’s been a superb investment for me. Over the year the car will save me around €13,000 between fuel and service costs,” said Paul, who is now one of the world’s most influential Nissan LEAF drivers.
Minister Ryan TD said, "An efficient and low emitting public transport system is a key priority for my Department. This scheme will play a critical role in helping to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions while also normalising the use of electric vehicles in Ireland. The overall funding has risen to €15m to help accelerate the greening of the SPSV fleet. It represents a doubling of supports in many instances as we work to support the sector as it moves towards electric vehicles.
Replacing older vehicles can play an important role in effecting a substantial reduction in transport CO2 and emissions, and the changes to the Scheme in 2021 reflect greater levels of support for older SPSVs, or those with high vehicle mileage.”
As part of the support for the SPSV sector, the Department of Transport is investing in the installation of SPSV dedicated recharging infrastructure across the country. Last year, chargers were installed at Dublin (22kW and 2 x 150kW) and Cork (22kW and 50kW) airports, which are both already operational, as well as at Dublin (Heuston), Cork (Kent) and Limerick (Colbert) train stations (2 x50Kw) which will be available to SPSV drivers by March. Further installations at key transport hubs will also be completed in 2021."
If you are a taxi driver wishing to avail of this scheme, contact your local Windsor Motors dealership today!
Find out the value of grant available for your electric vehicle, how to apply and what vehicles are eligible.
When you purchase an electric car, you can claim up to €600 towards a home charger unit.
Thinking about making the switch to electric? Here is what you need to know.
