Peterborough taxi drivers given six months free charging in bid to encourage cabbies to switch
Free charging for all taxi drivers licensed with Peterborough City Council began this week in a bid to encourage more to make the switch to electric.
Four 50kw rapid chargers have been installed for taxi use only on the street in taxi pick-up locations at Northminster, Midgate, Viersen Platz in the city centre and also in Rivergate car park. This is just the latest in the expanding network of electric vehicle chargers in the city.
Taxi drivers are able to access the Podpoint app to get up to three hours a week free charging in the six-month period. Any extra charging will be discounted.
They are also able to get the same deal at any public chargepoint in the city, details of which can be found on the Travelchoice website.
Councillor Nigel Simons, cabinet member for waste, street scene and the environment at Peterborough City Council, said: "Anyone who has travelled in a taxi in the last year will know that electric taxis are becoming increasingly common on our roads.
"To thank drivers who have already made the switch to electric - and to encourage even more to do so - we are offering six months free charging. This will not only improve air pollution in our city, but also fits in with the council's goal of making our city carbon zero by 2030."
Tahir Chaudhary, co-chair of the Peterborough Hackney Driver's Federation, said: "We are excited about the launch of dedicated rapid chargers closer to the city centre and would like to thank both the Government and the city council for funding these.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has been very challenging for cabbies, so to get some help towards charging costs is very welcome."
