The Department for Transport (DfT) has introduced a £50 million scheme that offers taxi drivers a subsidy of up to £7500 on the London Taxi Company (LTC)'s new TX5 electric cab.
In addition, the DfT is spending £14m on the installation of taxi-only charge points across 10 UK counties, with varying amounts awarded to each, but the largest chunk, of £5.2m, headed for London.
New LEVC TX London taxi revealed with zero-emissions capability
Read more about the 2017 budget here
The rest of the funds are distributed across the rest of the country, although no funds have been allocated to any counties south of London.
The DfT estimates that 400 rapid chargers and 150 fast chargers will come of the investment, allowing for around 23,000 low-emission taxis nationally – the same number of diesel black cabs registered in London - while the £50m new taxi fund allows for more than 6500 individual £7500 subsidies.
Greg Clark, secretary for business, energy and industrial strategy, made the announcement at the opening of LTC's new £300m Warwickshire factory for production of the electric TX5. This move is claimed to have created 1000 jobs.
John Hayes, minister for transport, said: “This government is committed to improving air quality and reducing pollution in towns and cities, which is essential for people’s health and the environment.”
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