2018 EV Incentive Program for Irish Taxi Drivers

cros13 · 30-11-2017 8:44pm #1

New program rolling out from the 1st of February 2018 to provide incentives for Taxi drivers to purchase EVs.

There will be a €7000 grant for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). <= this will probably be defined as vehicles solely propelled by electric motors (like the BIK incentive)
There will be a €3500 grant for Plug-in Hybrid vehicles.

The e-SPSV grants are applicable to both new and used vehicles up to 6 years old.

This program is in addition to the existing €3800 commercial SEAI grant for new vehicles.
For imports, the VRT relief of €5000 (BEV) or €2500 (PHEV) applies, although imports will not receive the €3800 SEAI grant.
Companies can also avail of accelerated capital allowances to fully depreciate the vehicles in year 1.

This program is open to existing licensed PSV drivers and WAT new-entrants.

Night rate electricity is 10-12 times cheaper than diesel per km and maintenance is minimal to non-existent.

The following BEVs have a waiver in place that allows them to pass the SPSV requirements:

Nissan Leaf 2017 - waiver given for luggage capacity
Renault Zoe - waiver given for luggage capacity

The following BEVs have passed or should have no issues passing the SPSV requirements without requiring waivers:

Citroen Berlingo Multispace Electric (UK import)
Hyundai Ioniq BEV
Mercedes B250e (UK import)
Nissan Leaf 2018 (luggage space improved over previous model)
Nissan eNV200 (5/7 seater and wheelchair accessible | new longer range model 1st deliveries in April 2018)
Peugeot Partner Teepee Electric (UK import)
Tesla Model S
Tesla Model X

The following Plug-in Hybrids are SPSV approved models:

BMW 330e
BMW 530e
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Toyota Prius PHEV (2017 onward)
Volvo V60 Estate PHEV (discontinued)
Volvo XC60 T8
Volvo XC90 T8

The following Plug-in Hybrids are not SPSV approved models yet, but should have no issues passing:

BMW 740e
BMW X5 PHEV
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV (available Q1 2018)
Volkswagen Passat GTE
Volkswagen Passat GTE Estate

The following BEVs/EREVs (extended range EVs) do not meet SPSV requirements:

BMW i3
Ford Focus Electric
Hyundai Kona BEV
Kia Soul BEV
Kia Stonic BEV
VW eGolf

cros13 · 30-11-2017 10:21pm

Let's give the new PSV EV drivers the benefit of the doubt lads.

If this thread descends into a another charging/charging etiquette discussion I'm going to have to split that stuff out.

zilog_jones · 01-12-2017 1:05pm

The Prius PHV (note: no "E") is approved, even though it's only got 4 seats?

I can't see PHEVs being that useful for taxi drivers at all unless they have charging points at the ranks, as they would want to be charging regularly throughout the day to make the most of it.

cros13 · 01-12-2017 1:45pm

zilog_jones wrote: »

The Prius PHV (note: no "E") is approved, even though it's only got 4 seats?

The four-seat 2016- Prius plugin is on the SPSV model list as approved.

It's not the best option with the tiny battery and high price. BEV is the way to go for running costs and reliability.

Dardania · 01-12-2017 1:46pm

Without going into the charger etiquette issue - is there a corresponding plan to install chargers at ranks?

I suspect taxis drive more than 150km per day...they'll need topping up

cros13 · 01-12-2017 2:05pm

Dardania wrote: »

Without going into the charger etiquette issue - is there a corresponding plan to install chargers at ranks?

I suspect taxis drive more than 150km per day...they'll need topping up

Well most of the new EVs hitting the road as this comes in have real world ranges in the 250km area, even far more than that in stop/start traffic.
Dublin taxi drivers are unlikely to need anything beyond overnight charging at home for all but unusually high mileage days.

The 2018 eNV200 would be an ideal Taxi for Dublin drivers. Easier and less stressful to drive than the diesel van conversions out there, already SPSV approved for 6 pax and can easily be made wheelchair accessible.
40kWh pack would handle 200km of high speed motorway driving or 300km+ of 50-80km/h pootling about in the city.

I have a deposit down on a 40kWh eNV200 panel van for est. April delivery.

stesaurus · 01-12-2017 7:59pm

cros13 wrote: »

Well most of the new EVs hitting the road as this comes in have real world ranges in the 250km area, even far more than that in stop/start traffic.
Dublin taxi drivers are unlikely to need anything beyond overnight charging at home for all but unusually high mileage days.

The 2018 eNV200 would be an ideal Taxi for Dublin drivers. Easier and less stressful to drive than the diesel van conversions out there, already SPSV approved for 6 pax and can easily be made wheelchair accessible.
40kWh pack would handle 200km of high speed motorway driving or 300km+ of 50-80km/h pootling about in the city.

I have a deposit down on a 40kWh eNV200 panel van for est. April delivery.

How much is the eNV200 retailing at?

So with this additional grant a taxi driver could land a Leaf 2 for around 20-21k?

cros13 · 01-12-2017 9:08pm

stesaurus wrote: »

How much is the eNV200 retailing at?

Pricing not officially released yet

Not a whole lot more than the current eNV200 price you can see on the Nissan site.

stesaurus wrote: »

So with this additional grant a taxi driver could land a Leaf 2 for around 20-21k?

Yup! Or an XE Leaf for around 18k. Or a new 2017 24kWh SVE for ~10k if they can still find one come February.

The big thing is the grant applies to used vehicles as well. So they could pick up a cheap 2013 or 2014 Leaf or Zoe from the UK and get most (or all) of the purchase price back in the grant.
Of course something like that would make a less than ideal taxi.

Better picks would be:
Ioniq - £23-25k used - 0 VRT on import due to the credit - €7k back on the grant - landed price ex grant of €19-21k - meets SPSV vehicle regs - 8 year 200k km europe-wide warranty on the powertrain.
Tesla Model S - £43-45k for a 2014 - €2-3k VRT on import due to the credit - €7k back on the grant - meets SPSV vehicle regs - 4 year manufacturer CPO warranty
Peugeot Partner Tepee Electric - difficult to find ~£10-12k - 0 VRT on import due to the credit - €7k back on the grant - landed price ex grant of €4-6k - meets SPSV vehicle regs
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - £13-15k for a 2014 - €2-3k VRT on import due to the credit - €3.5k back on the grant - meets SPSV vehicle regs

unkel · 01-12-2017 9:58pm

cros13 wrote: »

So they could pick up a cheap 2013 or 2014 Leaf or Zoe from the UK

How the hell did the Zoe get approved to be a taxi? It's tiny!

cros13 · 02-12-2017 9:53am

unkel wrote: »

How the hell did the Zoe get approved to be a taxi? It's tiny!

Through a waiver. I was surprised at that too. I'd already added it to the unsuitable for taxi use list before I spotted "passed" on the official SPSV model list.

stesaurus · 02-12-2017 11:15am

Zoe makes it but Kona and Stonic don't? Is that just because they're not fully released yet.

The 7k grant I would assume is a sliding scale based on either value or age of vehicle. Surely not going to give the full amount on all vehicles???? 2012 leaf landed for 0 after grant haha

So next question. How the hell do I register as a taxi driver to avail of these grants and bus lane usage ðŸ˜

11-12-2017 4:27pm

Is Zoe *really* more suitable as a taxi than an eGolf?

Gumbo · 18-12-2017 11:01pm

The father in law has to get out of his 08 Octavia’s in March. I’ve been trying to convince him of a hybrid so this very much welcome.

Gumbo · 17-01-2018 6:33pm

Any update on this. Where do you apply for the grant etc

Edit. Found this thing called google. It answered my own question

unkel · 18-01-2018 12:18am

You might as well share it here

Gumbo · 20-01-2018 10:51am

unkel wrote: »

You might as well share it here

Basically has to be plug inhybrid or full EV to avail of the grant. I misread and assumed any hybrid would qualify.
He’s not open to full EV currently and plug in hybrid is out of budget.

He bought a 2014 Prius.

unkel · 24-01-2018 2:26pm

That's a pity. I'm a bit surprised you haven't been able to convince him

An Ioniq / new Leaf would be pretty good taxis and either will save him a fortune in running / maintenance costs. In Amsterdam, over 50% of all new taxis are Teslas. Tesla Model S and Model X are number 1 and number 2 in EV sales in the Netherlands. And the people over there are careful with their money is the cliché, isn't it? Tell him that and force a spreadsheet on him

Firblog · 24-01-2018 5:50pm

cros13 wrote: »

I have a deposit down on a 40kWh eNV200 panel van for est. April delivery.

Very interested in this, what is the advertised driving range on it? I'll take that divide it by 3 and come up with the real world figure for driving in Donegal...

cros13 · 25-01-2018 4:01pm

Firblog wrote: »

Very interested in this, what is the advertised driving range on it? I'll take that divide it by 3 and come up with the real world figure for driving in Donegal...

NEDC advertised 280km for the seven seater, 300km for the panel van.

Real world is 190-220km with the low end being driving at over 100km/h in winter.
On national routes tipping about at 80km/h you could easily see 230-250km.

ewj1978 · 25-01-2018 9:59pm

Herself will be very interested in a 7 seater EV with 40kw

Firblog · 26-01-2018 12:12am

cros13 wrote: »

NEDC advertised 280km for the seven seater, 300km for the panel van.

Real world is 190-220km with the low end being driving at over 100km/h in winter.
On national routes tipping about at 80km/h you could easily see 230-250km.

I'm lucky to get 100km in 24kwh leaf no matter what the weather. Will the van have a 6.6 charging do you know?

cros13 · 26-01-2018 1:04am

Firblog wrote: »

Will the van have a 6.6 charging do you know?

Yes, It's being made standard in all markets for the 40kWh, although Nissan Ireland only ever imported 6.6kW eNV200s even for the 24kWh (we initially missed out on the reversing camera in part exchange).

kala85 · 04-02-2018 12:49pm

Any update to the link or how to apply for this grant.

Have Googled and cannot find any specific details

cros13 · 04-02-2018 11:31pm

kala85 wrote: »

Any update to the link or how to apply for this grant.

Have Googled and cannot find any specific details

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eSPSV_Grant_Scheme_2018_-_Information_Guide.pdf

kala85 · 04-02-2018 11:39pm

cros13 wrote: »

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eSPSV_Grant_Scheme_2018_-_Information_Guide.pdf

Thanks

12-02-2018 12:57pm

Thought some here might be interested in this

Fully EV, but has a petrol generator onboard to add charge to the batteries if needed. The petrol engine is not connected to the wheels, only to the batteries.

Dardania · 12-02-2018 12:58pm

Saw that episode last night - looks very nice inside. I wonder though what the absolute cost of it is - are there far cheaper ways to get an EV taxi in Ireland?

ELM327 · 12-02-2018 4:02pm

You'd get a CPO model S for cheaper. But it wouldnt have the REX.

uphillonly · 15-02-2018 8:18pm

I had a taxi driver the other day asking all about our i3 and electric cars when he saw it in the drive. He was well aware of the additional grant and doing a lot of research into the Leaf II.

Good to see the grant is getting attention.

His daily mileage was fine for the new Leaf range but his concern was when he gets a lucrative long journey fare opportunity. I'll guess that will be the balance until cheaper electrics have current Tesla type range.

Lower running and maintenance costs vs. missing out on occasional very long fares.

Bigus · 17-02-2018 10:59am

uphillonly wrote: »

I had a taxi driver the other day asking all about our i3 and electric cars when he saw it in the drive. He was well aware of the additional grant and doing a lot of research into the Leaf II.

Good to see the grant is getting attention.

His daily mileage was fine for the new Leaf range but his concern was when he gets a lucrative long journey fare opportunity. I'll guess that will be the balance until cheaper electrics have current Tesla type range.

Lower running and maintenance costs vs. missing out on occasional very long fares.

It's probably 5 years since he had a lucrative long fare !

Colonel Claptrap · 02-04-2018 7:58pm

Spotted 2 Leafs (leaves?) with taxi plates in the space of 5 minutes today.

Gumbo · 08-04-2018 11:58am

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

Spotted 2 Leafs (leaves?) with taxi plates in the space of 5 minutes today.

There’s a couple in Dublin alright

BoatMad · 09-04-2018 1:24pm

one of the stated reason the taskforce developed and promoted the taxi incentive is actually to make taxi passengers more aware of EVs

Dardania · 09-04-2018 1:28pm

BoatMad wrote: »

one of the stated reason the taskforce developed and promoted the taxi incentive is actually to make taxi passengers more aware of EVs

very clever - real world advertising

ted1 · 09-04-2018 1:49pm

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

Spotted 2 Leafs (leaves?) with taxi plates in the space of 5 minutes today.

The plural of leafs is a bush.

ec18 · 16-07-2018 9:00am

hi, Just wondering is the eSPSV gran scheme the same as the govt private buyers grant?

cros13 · 23-07-2018 11:39pm

ec18 wrote: »

hi, Just wondering is the eSPSV gran scheme the same as the govt private buyers grant?

No they are separate. As far as I'm aware SPSV drivers are eligible for the commercial EV grant (€3,800 vs €5k for the private grant) in addition to the SPSV grant.

Muahahaha · 16-02-2019 10:41pm

Details of the 2019 scheme are here https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eSPSV_Grant_Scheme_2019_-_Information_Guide.pdf

It seems like a good idea to give taxis EV grants but I am wondering where taxis driving EVs would fit in with the T&Cs of battery warranties? Surely using it as a taxi would void the warranty?
Also say if a taxi was doing 50,000kms per year and clocked it up to 250,000kms in five years what sort of state would the battery be in? Would the car be virtually worthless at that point without spending thousands on a new battery? What about replacing cells, is this technology advanced properly yet and is it affordable vis a vis a new battery?

slave1 · 17-02-2019 1:15pm

Would not worry about battery and mileage, my mate has a Leaf 24 with 220,000kms and his battery is at 84% at 5 years old

ELM327 · 18-02-2019 11:34am

I regularly see 2 >=2018 leaf taxis in Navan town, there's a chap in the IEVOA facebook group that has a leaf40 as a taxi too. This grant seems to be helping.

Mickeroo · 18-02-2019 11:50am

Nearly certain there's a leaf taxi in Castlebar too.

Muahahaha · 19-02-2019 1:00am

slave1 wrote: »

Would not worry about battery and mileage, my mate has a Leaf 24 with 220,000kms and his battery is at 84% at 5 years old

That is some going in fairness. Any ideas of what range he gets at 84%?

slave1 · 19-02-2019 5:25pm

Muahahaha wrote: »

That is some going in fairness. Any ideas of what range he gets at 84%?

Sorry no, just bumped into him last week, must ask next time

smithy1981 · 04-03-2019 11:35am

I presume the model 3 would be passed for a taxi?, anyone going that route? I've heard the back seats are tight for space so i'd have to see one in person to be sure.

Ryath · 04-03-2019 3:06pm

smithy1981 wrote: »

I presume the model 3 would be passed for a taxi?, anyone going that route? I've heard the back seats are tight for space so i'd have to see one in person to be sure.

Can't imagine why not it won't need a waiver for luggage @425l just over the 420l cut off.

From pics rear legroom looks decent roof does look low though. It's certainly no worse than a mk1 Focus saloon which is about the smallest car I can see on approved list. (Bar the Zoe

)

See the eGolf has a waiver now
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Model_Report_Database_01-02-18_PDF.pdf

Muahahaha · 04-03-2019 4:02pm

smithy1981 wrote: »

I presume the model 3 would be passed for a taxi?, anyone going that route? I've heard the back seats are tight for space so i'd have to see one in person to be sure.

I'm open to correction here but remember hearing last year that the Tesla Model 3 is not deemed as suitable as a taxi by the NTA- it was something about privacy glass or else the angle of the windows. This Feb 1st 2019 document here is saying the Model 3 is acceptable as a limosine or a hackey but not as a taxi.
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eSPSV_Grant_Vehicles_2019.pdf

ELM327 · 04-03-2019 4:15pm

If they allow a Zoe to be a taxi, the model 3 will be given a waver too.

smithy1981 · 04-03-2019 4:45pm

Muahahaha wrote: »

I'm open to correction here but remember hearing last year that the Tesla Model 3 is not deemed as suitable as a taxi by the NTA- it was something about privacy glass or else the angle of the windows. This Feb 1st 2019 document here is saying the Model 3 is acceptable as a limosine or a hackey but not as a taxi.
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eSPSV_Grant_Vehicles_2019.pdf

I don't see the Model 3 on that list anywhere?

Its a hackney service i have by the way, had a 15 Octavia fail a test last week over the windows, its a really common problem with newer cars in general now i was told

So if the Model 3 is priced at 35k the grant will take another 7 off that?

slave1 · 04-03-2019 5:02pm

Spare wheel?

Muahahaha · 04-03-2019 5:22pm

smithy1981 wrote: »

I don't see the Model 3 on that list anywhere?

Its a hackney service i have by the way, had a 15 Octavia fail a test last week over the windows, its a really common problem with newer cars in general now i was told

So if the Model 3 is priced at 35k the grant will take another 7 off that?

sorry my bad, it is the Model S that has not been allowed as a taxi but is deemed suitable as a limosuine. Model 3 is not on that list anywhere so you can only take it that it has not (yet) made the waiver scheme for suitability as a taxi. I think it will in future but that 2019 list has only just been published a few weeks ago so I doubt it will be any earlier than 2020.

As far as the grant goes you can get €7k for a brand new EV and a further €3,800 grant from the SEAI provided the car costs more than €18k. So a total of €10,800 in grants is available if buying brand new
https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/grant-amounts/
If you are buying second hand then the €3,800 SEAI grant is not available and also the €7,000 grant goes down in scale depending on the age of the second hand EV you are buying.

On top of that there is a grant available for a home charger, I think it is €600 or so. You'd definitely need a home charger if using an EV as a taxi as the charging network here is not yet properly developed and could be very frustrating if you need a charge to continue working but can't find a free fast charger.

Spook_ie · 04-03-2019 5:28pm

Think as well that it's more to do with fitting a standard sized fold up wheelchair flat in the boot rather than any considerations to shoulder width etc.

2018 EV Incentive Program for Irish Taxi Drivers

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