Photo: plug-in-taxi

Boost for UK cities bidding for share of £20 million plug-in taxi prize

03 August 2015

by Nick Michell

Eight cities across the UK have received a boost in their bid to win part of a £20 million fund to increase the number of plug-in taxis, with the announcement that the shortlisted potential winning schemes will each receive a government-backed study into providing more environmentally-friendly travel opportunities in their area.

“Plug-in taxis are cheaper to run, better for the environment and an example of Britain leading the way in an innovative industry,” said Andrew Jones,Transport Minister . “These cities have shown they are committed to adopting greener technology and the government is backing their ambition by showing the benefits a share of £20 million of funding could deliver.”

The UK government is investing £500 million in low emission vehicles over the next five years to make them an accessible and affordable choice for all and will announce the winning schemes in April 2016.

The studies will gather information into how local authorities could use the money to reduce the upfront cost of purpose-built taxis and install charging infrastructure for taxi and private hire use. Each feasibility study, backed by £30,000 of government funding, will be independently carried out by the Energy Saving Trust (EST).

“Our experience in this area gives us every confidence that organisations as diverse as licensing authorities, car manufacturers, district network operators and charge-point installers can become leading players in rolling out ultra-low emission taxis and private hire vehicles right across the country,” said Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive, Energy Saving Trust.

The announcement is the latest example of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) helping support the government’s aim for every car and van to be zero emissions by 2050.

Local authorities that are not shortlisted are still able to submit bids for a share of the £20 million fund, but will have to cover the cost of their own feasibility study.

The eight shortlisted bids that will each receive a feasibility study are:

Birmingham City Council
Cambridge City Council
Coventry City Council
Dundee City Council
Nottingham City Council
Oxford City Council
Sheffield City Council
West Yorkshire Combined Authority

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