FREENOW welcomes continued funding for EV Grant Scheme
Ongoing support for taxi drivers to transition to EVs remains vital, says leading taxi app
FREENOW, Ireland’s No.1 taxi app, has called for continued Government support for the green transition in light of the eSPSV scheme reopening today (23.06.25). 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.
The appetite for the switch to electric is clear for drivers and passengers alike, with 62% of the FREENOW taxi fleet onboarded so far this year EV or electrified. Additionally, since the start of 2025 15% of all trips have been taken in an electric vehicle and 43% taken in a hybrid.
Danny O’Gorman, General Manager at FREENOW Ireland, said: “In its latest review of the Irish transport sector, the Climate Change Advisory Council highlighted the need to end reliance on harmful and expensive fossil fuels. Our drivers want to make the change to electric, but many have expressed that the cost of purchasing an EV is one of the main barriers to switching. Government supports like the eSPSV grant scheme are vital to ensuring that the taxi industry can play its role in the green transition.
“The National Transport Authority (NTA) has set ambitious goals for our sector, which FREENOW fully support. The switch to electric taxi fleets is a huge opportunity for rapid, meaningful change, which will ensure the industry can meet the NTA’s target of 40% sustainable taxis in Ireland by 2030.
It’s important that funding continues through the eSPSV Grant Scheme to guarantee that drivers can make the switch and support the Government’s and the NTA’s climate ambitions.”
In an effort to further encourage EV uptake among drivers, FREENOW has partnered with Tesla to offer driver partners up to €5,400 off the list price of an EV. When combined with the eSPSV grant scheme, this can reduce the cost of switching to a new electric taxi by up to €35,700.
ENDS