The Taxi firm promoting sustainable journeys
The Electric Car market is growing. Global sales for Electric vehicles grew by 39% in 2020.
It does seem that people are starting to look seriously now electric and hybrid alternatives when choosing a vehicle to buy. Commercial fleets are being replaced by many companies hoping to do their part towards a sustainable future.
But what if you are not (and don’t intend to be any time soon), a car owner? You may be a regular taxi-taker!
Well, in order to incentivise taxi drivers and owners to purchase electric vehicles, Eamon Ryan, our Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment & Communications has announced a further allocation of funding to support the Electric SPSV Grant Scheme.
FREE NOW – The Taxi firm driving sustainable journeys
Country Manager Ireland at FREE NOW, Niall Carson says, “Supporting a more sustainable future is a huge focus for FREE NOW so to see this level of commitment from the Minister and his department is really encouraging. The fact that taxi drivers, especially those driving older vehicles, may soon be able to claim up to €20,000 when they replace their existing vehicles for new full-electric models, and €25,000 for a wheelchair accessible new battery electric vehicle, is such a boost for our sector. Seeing the investment in the grant scheme grow from €1 million last year to €15 million this year is incredible.”
Booking an eco-friendly car journey…
“In September of last year, we ourselves introduced a new eco booking option on the FREE NOW app” says Carson “enabling passengers to choose more environmentally-friendly transport options such as electric or hybrid taxi vehicles. We have also recently announced that we will invest €6m euros into home chargers – a key pain point- for Irish taxi drivers to further support them in making the switch.
With the extension of the eSPSV grant scheme, we could see a significant increase in the number of these vehicles available to our customers. This announcement follows a recent survey of FREE NOW drivers in Ireland which found that 68% were unsure about switching to an EV (electric vehicles) in the next 1 to 3 years, with charging availability and price being the key barriers for drivers.
Research has shown that where drivers have the possibility to charge their EV either at home or at a depot, they can save up to €3,000 per year with an EV compared to an equivalent diesel car. This comes as FREE NOW Europe announces it will be the first mobility platform in Europeto achieve a net zero plan and unveils plans to have at least 50% fully electric vehicle rides by 2025 and a 100% zero emission rides by 2030 in all European markets. FREE NOW Europe will push the electrification of its rides by allocating more than €100 million of resources in the coming five years.
“Together with the recent announcement supporting the legislation of e-scooters in the Irish market, we believe we are moving a step closer to achieving a truly sustainable and integrated transport system for Ireland
You can get more information from FREE NOW here: FREE NOW Press Page
Update: FREE NOW have also just committed €250,000 to transport vulnerable people to vaccination centres across Ireland. Passengers will be reimbursed up to €20 over two trips when they book to or travel from an official vaccination centre.
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