Seven city councils and one combined authority have been shortlisted to win part of a £20m fund to increase the number of plug-in taxis.
The eight potential winning schemes will each receive a government-backed feasibility study into providing more ‘environmentally-friendly travel opportunities in their area’, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced.
These studies will look at how councils could use the cash to install charging infrastructure for taxi and private hire use and reduce the upfront costs of purpose-built taxis, before winning schemes are announced in April next year.
Backed by £30,000 of government funding, the studies will be independently carried out by the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
The news comes as Transport Network can reveal that the Local Government Association is not carrying out any work into best practice or guidance for plug in electric vehicles, despite millions being spent on local networks and warnings that a 'patchwork' system could develop that would make life difficult for drivers.
The shortlist is:
· Birmingham City Council
· Cambridge City Council
· Coventry City Council
· Dundee City Council
· Nottingham City Council
· Oxford City Council
· Sheffield City Council
· West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Transport minister Andrew Jones said: ‘Plug-in taxis are cheaper to run, better for the environment and an example of Britain leading the way in an innovative industry. That is why government is investing £500m in low emission vehicles over the next 5 years to make them an accessible and affordable choice for all.
‘These cities have shown they are commitment to adopting greener technology and the government is backing their ambition by showing the benefits a share of £20m of funding could deliver.’
DfT officials said local authorities that are not shortlisted could still submit bids for a share of the £20m but would have to cover the cost of their own feasibility study.
View the interactive map of the areas involved in the bidding
