The general secretary of London’s black cab industry association is telling the government it must extend its £7,500 grant to taxi drivers to help continue the transition to electric vehicles.

London’s financial newspaper City AM says Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) has told the PA News Agency it is “essential” the scheme continues to avoid the cost of acquiring new environmentally friendly taxis.

It comes ahead of the expiration of the current Plug-in Taxi Grant on 5 April.

The report explains the grant, which it says has been a significant factor in helping London’s taxi fleet reduce emissions, was first introduced in 2017, and gives black cab drivers and taxi companies a £7,500 contribution towards new electric taxis purchased.

“This would be absolutely disastrous because taxi drivers thinking of buying a new vehicle will try to hang on to old vehicles,” Mr McNamara is quoted as saying. “It’s bad for us, it’s bad for London and it’s got to be bad for the government.”

(File picture – Transport for London)