TAXI drivers in Bradford will be able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to buy or hire electric vehicles.

A £4 million pot of cash has been set up using money from Bradford’s Clean Air Zone, and drivers will be able to apply for grants from May.

The grant will be increased for non-Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles from £6,000 over two years to £10,000 over two years, bringing it into line with the Hackney Carriage and Wheelchair Accessible Private Hire Vehicle EV grants.

Proprietors who have already upgraded to other compliant vehicle types (such as petrol/electric hybrid) can apply for a top-up grant if they choose to go fully electric.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “The Bradford taxi trade has been extremely proactive in upgrading vehicles to Clean Air Zone standards.

“Thanks to grants already issued it is one of the cleanest fleets in the country with 98 per cent of the 4,000 strong licensed taxi and private hire trade meeting the CAZ standard.

“The applications process will be live from May 2023 for Bradford licensed vehicle proprietors. “There are currently 200,000 electric vehicle movements per month in Bradford and these grants will support the Bradford taxi trade to also make the change to electric.

“Owners of electric vehicles can see savings in fuel costs as well as lower servicing and maintenance costs.

“These are on top of the driver health benefits of in-vehicle pollution reduction, respiratory health improvements and also a reduction in noise.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's executive member for healthy people and places, added: “The taxi trade in Bradford is booming with applications to become a driver at an all-time high.

“We are pleased to further extend our support to the Bradford taxi trade for the upgrade of their vehicles to fully electric by offering up to £10,000 per vehicle in grant funding to assist proprietors with the running costs of a fully electric Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle. The funding will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

“We would encourage anyone who is unsure if they need to pay or are entitled to grants or exemptions to call the Clean Air Zone team on 01274 435533 which is open Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm and Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.”