Plug-in Taxi Grant (PiTG): A Complete Guide
Your guide to the Plug-in Taxi Grant (PiTG) scheme and how it could help cover the costs of your next taxi.
Summary
- The Plug-in Taxi Grant (PiTG) is an incentive for taxi drivers to buy purpose-built, ultra-low emissions taxis.
- The scheme helps fund the cost of electric taxis. These are often more expensive to purchase than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles due to their advanced technology.
- The scheme is only available for new taxis that are wheelchair-accessible. You must also meet the eligibility criteria to receive funding.
Table of Contents
1. What is the Plug-in Taxi Grant (PiTG)?
2. What are the eligibility criteria for the Plug-in Taxi Grant?
3. Which vehicles are eligible for the PiTG scheme?
4. Applying for the PiTG grant
5. Grants and incentives at The Taxi Centre
Last updated 8th April 2024.
What is the Plug-in Taxi Grant (PiTG)?
The PiTG is a scheme offering a discount on the purchase of eligible taxis for taxi drivers. Depending on the taxi’s range, emissions, and design, drivers can get a minimum of £3,000 or a maximum of £6,000.
All taxis must be wheelchair accessible, and they will be placed into one of two groups based on their emissions:
Category 1 (up to £6,000) - Taxis with a zero-emissions range of at least 70 miles or more, and less than 50g/km of CO2 emissions.
Category 2 (up to £3,000) - Taxis with a zero-emissions range of between 10-69 miles, and less than 50g/km of CO2 emissions.
Any taxi driver or business can apply for the grant when purchasing a new purpose-built taxi if their chosen vehicle is eligible.
This is not done directly, as vehicle manufacturers will apply for approval for their models, before approved dealerships can make a claim on your behalf.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Plug-in Taxi Grant?
Eligible taxis for the grant will be determined by the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV). They will only accept Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) data to assess vehicle emissions.
Some requirements for applicants include:
- Receiving approval from OZEV before being considered eligible for the grant
- Applications can only be submitted once, and these will not be accepted for left-hand drive vehicles.
- The driver must be registered with a local licensing authority and be able to present their operator license.
There are also several other requirements that the vehicle must meet to be confirmed eligible. These include vehicle type, manoeuvrability, minimum speed requirements, and more. Read more about eligibility for the PiTG scheme and how to apply on the Government website.
Which vehicles are eligible for the PiTG scheme?
Only wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) are eligible for the PiTG scheme. At The Taxi Centre, we have a range of LEVC TX taxis for sale which are eligible for the grant.
The TX is an electrically driven taxi designed by the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC). Introduced in 2019, the TX marked a new era for the taxi industry with the transition towards electric taxis finally taking shape.
It takes all the design of the iconic black cab, and combines it with eCity hybrid technology, producing a taxi that offers drivers a more tailored driving experience.
The powertrain consists of an electric battery and a range-extender (a small 1.5-litre petrol engine). This enables three driving modes: Smart, Save, and Pure EV.
Smart is the default operating mode which runs efficiently by maximising the battery energy before engaging the range-extender. In this mode, the range-extender will only be activated when the battery charge decreases, making it useful for longer intercity journeys.
Save mode allows the battery’s current level of energy to be conserved for later use, activating the range-extender in the meantime. This is particularly useful for a commute to the city, where the driver can then switch to electric mode before entering Low Emission Zones (LEZs).
Then there’s Pure EV mode, which as its name suggests, disables use of the range-extender relying solely on electric power. When the battery becomes low, the driver will be alerted to select a different driving mode if there is sufficient charge. Read more about charging the TX taxi.
The TX is also wheelchair-accessible with a range of accessibility features that can be added on to make it friendly to all passengers’ needs.
Applying for the PiTG grant
As mentioned earlier, you do not need to apply for the grant directly. This is because manufacturers and dealerships will do this on your behalf.
They will fill out two forms which are then processed by OZEV to grant eligibility for the scheme. This will then provide them with access to an online portal to register claims following approval.
Once approved, the grant will then be paid to the manufacturer or dealership monthly and will be deducted from the price of the taxi at the point of sale.
So if you are looking for a PiTG-eligible taxi such as the TX taxi, all you need to do is choose your vehicle and the rest will be taken care of.
Grants and incentives at The Taxi Centre
We hope you feel well-informed about the Plug-in Taxi Grant (PiTG). At The Taxi Centre, we don’t just help you to find the perfect new taxi for your business.
We also help keep you up to date with the latest Government grants and incentives available to you - all to help you save money while upgrading your taxi.
Explore other grants available now, including the EV Chargepoint Grant, Used Electric Vehicle Loan, and more to help with all your business needs. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to help.