Taxi drivers to save up to €25,000 when switching to electric as EV Grant Scheme relaunched
FREENOW welcomes extension of eSPSV Grant for taxi drivers offering up to €25,000 to switch to electric vehicles and announces extension of its partnership with Tesla
FREENOW has today (18.02.25) welcomed the extension of the eSPSV Grant. The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme provides funding to enable taxi owners to buy electric vehicles (EVs).
Under the scheme, drivers can apply for up to €20,000 to scrap an old fossil fuel car for a new EV, with up to €25,000 of funding available for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles. Taxi owners who switch to an EV can also avail of VRT relief up to €5,000 and the Home Charger Scheme up to €300.
In an effort to further encourage EV uptake among drivers, FREENOW has extended its partnership with Tesla to offer driver partners up to €5,400 off the list price of a Tesla vehicle. When combined with the eSPSV grant scheme, this can reduce the cost of switching to a new electric taxi by up to €35,700.
Danny O’Gorman, General Manager at FREENOW Ireland, said: "It's encouraging to see €12.5 million allocated for grants via the eSPSV Scheme this year. One of the main reasons our driver partners hesitate about switching to an EV is the cost of purchasing the vehicle. Government support for taxi drivers is crucial to encouraging the continued electrification of our national EV fleet.
“At FREENOW, we continue to support our partner drivers, and we have extended our partnership with Tesla so drivers can save money when switching to EVs. Since we announced the partnership was launched in October 2024, more than 50 of our partner drivers have taken advantage of the discounts provided to switch to an electric taxi, which is very encouraging.”
The appetite for the switch to electric is clear for drivers and passengers alike, with FREENOW welcoming, on average, 16 battery EVs to its fleet weekly. In 2024, 14% of all trips were taken in an electric vehicle. In addition, over half (51%) of the FREENOW taxi fleet in Dublin last year were sustainable electric and hybrid vehicles, an increase of 7% since 2023.
The National Transport Authority's Sustainability Strategy has set ambitious goals, including ensuring that 40% of all taxis in Ireland are sustainable by 2030. Every part of the transport ecosystem contributes to reducing emissions, and FREENOW sees the switch to electric taxi fleets as a huge opportunity for rapid, meaningful change.
FREENOW is also encouraging drivers to download the TRACT EV app. The app provides valuable insights into drivers' driving behaviour and the potential benefits of switching to an EV, including potential savings on fuel and maintenance. It also allows drivers to calculate their carbon footprint and receive customised recommendations on charging requirements based on their driving patterns, making the transition to electric vehicles seamless and convenient.
ENDS
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FREENOW Ireland, General Manager, Danny O’Gorman is available for interview.
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About FREENOW
FREENOW is Europe’s multi-mobility app with taxi offering at its core, available in 9 European markets and over 150 cities. FREENOW users can access various mobility services within a single app, including taxis, PHV, carsharing, car rental, eScooters, eBikes, eMopeds and public transport. FREENOW partners with numerous mobility brands and aggregates their offering with the ambition to make urban mobility more efficient and sustainable without adding new vehicles on the street. The Germany-based company is backed by the BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility. FREENOW is led by CEO Thomas Zimmermann.
Visit our Website for further information and download the FREENOW app for iOS or Android
About TRACT EV
TRACT EV is an innovative smartphone application developed by Trinity College Dublin's School of Engineering as part of the TRACT project. Powered by cutting-edge technology and backed by research, the TRACT EV app is designed to empower users like you to make informed choices about your transportation habits.
Learn more here or download the TRACT EV app for iOS or Android