Switched On Taxis Loan: A Complete Guide
A complete walk-through of the Switched On Taxis Loan, and how it could help you as a taxi driver in Scotland.
Speak to a Taxi Finance ExpertSummary
- Funded by Transport Scotland and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, the loan helps taxi drivers in Scotland to cover the costs of buying an electric taxi.
- The loan is interest-free and repayable over six years, and it can be used to purchase both new and used electric vehicles.
- It’s open to operators or those who own a hackney cab, as well as private hire drivers.
- The amount you can borrow depends on whether you are purchasing a new or used taxi, and if you are a limited company, sole trader, or partnership.
Table of Contents
1. What is the Switched On Taxis Loan?
3. Buying a used electric taxi
4. Am I eligible for the Switched On Taxis Loan?
6. Grants and incentives at The Taxi Centre
What is the Switched On Taxis Loan?
The Switched On Taxis Loan is a government initiative led by Transport Scotland and the Energy Saving Trust. It helps taxi drivers to cover the costs of purchasing both new and used electric taxis.
The loan is open to:
- Operators
- Hackney cab owners
- Private-hire drivers
For new taxis
- Up to £150,000 for limited companies
- Up to £75,000 for sole traders or partnerships
For used taxis
- Up to £90,000 for limited companies
- Up to £75,000 for sole traders or partnerships
Buying a new electric taxi
If you plan to buy a new, purpose-built electric black cab for your taxi business, you can use the loan to cover the costs of an eligible taxi from the UK’s OZEV Plug-in Taxi Grant (PiTG) list.
If you are purchasing a non-purpose built electric vehicle, the loan can help with:
- Electric cars (under £50,000) – up to £30,000
- Electric vans (under £50,000) – up to £35,000
Buying a used electric taxi
Used electric taxis can be a great way to save money, especially for first-time EV drivers. You could borrow up to £50,000 for a used, purpose-built electric black cab.
For non-purpose-built used electric vehicles:
- Electric cars (under £30,000) – up to £30,000
- Electric vans (under £30,000) – up to £30,000
Am I eligible for the Switched On Taxis Loan?
To be eligible, you must meet criteria in three sections (A, B, and C). In general, you must:
- Be the person ordering and owning the vehicle
- Not be receiving other Scottish Government funding for similar purposes
- Be based and trading in Scotland for at least 12 months
- Pass a credit check and supply financial documentation
For full eligibility details, view the official criteria document.
Check If You QualifyHow do I apply for the Switched On Taxi loan?
To apply, complete the Business Transport enquiry form on the Energy Saving Trust site. You'll be asked for basic business and vehicle information.
Responses usually take around 10 working days.
Need Help Applying? Contact UsGrants and incentives at The Taxi Centre
For more about the loan, visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
At The Taxi Centre, we help drivers stay informed and on the road. From grants to new vehicle deals, and from fleet insights to expert advice – we’re here to support your business.
Apply Here
For more information, please contact:
Jordan Walker (Field Sales Manager) - East of Scotland
07710 376211
James Welsh (Field Sales Manager) - West of Scotland
07816 205728