How Dundee is Leading the Charge for Electric Taxis
With a requirement for all private hire vehicles to be electric, we’re looking at how the Scottish city has successfully made the EV transition.
Over the last decade, Dundee has been on a mission to electrify their roads in a bid to lower pollution and improve air quality.
As these changes trickle down to the private hire industry, we’re exploring Dundee’s success story and the changes they’ve implemented.
When did Dundee start their EV journey?
Dundee first started their journey towards electrification back in 2011. As Scotland’s fourth largest city, the local council knew that the change could make a big impact on the 147,720-person population.
One of the key concerns that drove the change was air quality. To improve this, Dundee City Council worked with the NHS, police, and local businesses to declare the city an ‘Air Quality Management Area’.
What changes have Dundee implemented in the taxi industry?
With the announcement from Dundee City Council that all private hire vehicles must be electric. Various incentives were introduced in a bid to help drivers make the switch.
These include:
- Operators with a licence in their own name who operate an approved EV can apply for a corporate licence.
- Reduced tariffs at council-owned charging stations.
- A £10 discount on the taxi test for EVs.
With these changes, Dundee now boasts the highest proportion of electric taxis in Scotland. EV’s make up for 30% of the taxi fleet, with around 200 in operation around the city.
EV charging infrastructure in Dundee
The UK Government has stated that there must be a minimum of 300,000 charging points nationwide by 2030.
Dundee has continued to build upon charging infrastructure, whilst finding renewable energy opportunities.
To do this, charging hubs have been created with fast charging points in multi-storey car parks. This makes charging accessible to all and creates a safe option for overnight charging if you don't have a home chargepoint.
Dundee is also home to Scotland’s most powerful charging hub – the Myrekirk EV Hub. This officially opened in July 2024 and houses 24 ultra-rapid charging bays. Eight of these can help drivers regain up to 60 miles of range in three minutes.
This is great news for local taxi drivers who can avoid unnecessary time off the road and quickly power up in between jobs.
What other support is available to taxi drivers in Dundee?
As well as incentives from Dundee City Council, there are also various grants and loans available to help drivers make the switch.
One of the main being the Switched on Taxis Loan. This interest free loan is available to operators or owners of private hire taxis. Loans of up to £150,000 are available which are repayable over six years.
Find out more about government taxi grants
How can other councils learn from Dundee?
The success of Dundee is easy to replicate in other cities. All it takes is for local councils to improve charging infrastructure and offer incentives to help drivers make the switch.
While these may be longer-term solutions, it’s never too late to start and small changes can make a big impact.
Electric taxi deals at The Taxi Centre
At The Taxi Centre, we can help you start your electric taxi journey. Our range includes models from MG, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan, and Skoda. So, whatever you are looking for, you are sure to find it with us.
We can also help you find it at a great price with our taxi trade savings. Visit us today at The Taxi Centre to speak with our expert team who can also discuss our taxi finance options with you.