On November 10th, Cardiff Capital Region launched a Green Taxi ‘Try before you buy’ scheme in partnership with Welsh Government, which we are proud to be a part of.
The scheme gives licenced taxi drivers within ten local authorities in the Cardiff Capital Region the opportunity to trial a fully electric, wheelchair accessible taxi for free for 30 days. This also includes free insurance, charging and breakdown cover.
This new ‘Try Before You Buy’ pilot aims to encourage taxi drivers to move to 100% electric taxis.
Drivers will have access to 44 Nissan Dynamo vehicles over a three-year period, with bookings available online from 10th November 2021 and ready to drive away from 1st December!
The trial will run to the 30th Nov 2023 with the total funding from Welsh Government being £3.4m for the Cardiff Capital Region and £111,000 for Pembrokeshire.
Our General Manager, Andrew Elkin, said:
“We are delighted to play an active role in the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Hackney Taxi “Try before you Buy” initiative. Following lengthy consultation, it was determined that as a management partner, we were best equipped to provide the expertise necessary to deliver the scheme and achieve the success everyone expects it to be. In anticipation of the challenge and using our branch network locations across South Wales, we are confident in delivering the EV Taxi CCR (Cardiff Capital Region) scheme with the associated high levels of customer service we offer with a joint aim of creating a better and healthier environment that New EV Taxis deliver. As a Welsh family business operating since 1926, this is an exciting collaborative venture with Welsh Government and the Cardiff Capital Region”.
Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, with a responsibility for transport said;
“This trial scheme is an excellent opportunity to support and provide taxi drivers with the confidence that they need to make the switch to an electric vehicle, whilst playing a part in helping to make our transport system cleaner, greener and more sustainable.”
Cllr. Huw David, Chair of the CCR Transport Authority, said:
“I am delighted that today the Cardiff Capital region is launching the ‘Try Before You Buy Scheme’ funded by the Welsh Government. This scheme is just the beginning of the CCR’s ambition to create a fully decarbonised integrated transport network which as we increasingly see projects move from planning into physical roll-out is quickly becoming the reality as we move ever closer in our race towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”