The Irish government is reopening its 2025 Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV25) Grant Scheme on Monday, 23 June, offering up to €25,000 per vehicle to support the transition of taxis, hackneys and limousines to electric drive. Nearly €5 million in funding remains available for the current round.
The scheme was reopened at the beginning of this year with a budget of €12.5 million. According to Ireland’s Department of Transport, it saw unprecedented demand, reflecting growing momentum in the small public service vehicle sector toward zero-emission transport. Nearly €7.5 million have already been allocated to successful applicants, the press release states. This leaves just under €5 million available in the upcoming phase of applications.
Grants are available in two categories. Operators purchasing a standard battery-electric SPSV can receive up to €10,000, or €12,500 for a wheelchair-accessible version. Those scrapping an older, high-mileage or more polluting vehicle as part of the switch are eligible for double the amount—€20,000 and €25,000 respectively.
“The overwhelming response to eSPSV25 is a clear indication that Ireland’s taxi, hackney and limousine industry is ready for change,” said Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien. “High-mileage SPSV owners, who are at the forefront of daily operations, have shown strong support for transitioning to EVs. This move not only helps reduce carbon emissions but also positions small public service vehicles as leaders in the nation’s broader environmental initiatives.”
The eSPSV scheme has been in place since 2018 and has already supported over 3,200 SPSV operators in going electric, marking a substantial contribution to Ireland’s national climate goals. It is part of wider measures to reduce transport sector emissions in line with the country’s Climate Action Plan.
Applications will be processed through the National Transport Authority (NTA), with detailed guidelines available on its website from 23 June. The scheme is open to both existing SPSV licence holders and new applicants. New licence applicants are eligible for electric wheelchair-accessible taxi or hackney licences, or for limousines. Existing operators holding saloon SPSV licences can apply to upgrade their internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to a battery-electric model.
Operators should be aware that they have two months from grant approval to complete the purchase and registration process. The NTA warns that delays in vehicle delivery may impact eligibility, as extensions are not guaranteed. A cancellation list will be created for oversubscribed applications, offering a chance for additional funding later in 2025 should it become available.
