£10,000 grants available for Cardiff taxi drivers to go electric

Drivers in Cardiff can now benefit from grants of up to £10,000 to help switch to electric vehicles, as part of the city’s efforts to become net zero by the end of the decade. The initiative aims to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions by encouraging motorists, particularly taxi drivers, to replace older, high-emission vehicles with cleaner alternatives. According to a recent report on Cardiff Council grants helping taxi drivers cut emissions and go green, financial support is being provided to assist with this transition.

Focus on Taxi Drivers and High-Mileage Vehicles

Taxi drivers in Cardiff cover significantly more miles than the average UK driver, with full-time drivers clocking between 25,000 and 45,000 miles annually, compared to the national average of 7,500 miles. Many taxis currently operate with older Euro 4 and Euro 5 diesel engines, which contribute heavily to air pollution. The grants, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds, will assist drivers in purchasing Euro 6-compliant vehicles or fully electric taxis.

Cardiff Council stated:

"Get a taxi in Cardiff today and your trip could now be cleaner and greener due to a Cardiff Council scheme which has provided more than 200,000 pounds of grants to enable the city's taxi drivers to upgrade to more fuel efficient or fully electric vehicles."

Part of a Wider Climate Initiative

The grant scheme is a key component of the One Planet Cardiff strategy, which includes the development of a new solar farm, the planting of 100,000 trees, the construction of low-carbon housing, and the expansion of segregated cycleways. The council aims to implement a range of projects to reduce emissions and create a cleaner urban environment.