Grants and loans

Switched on taxis loan

Interest free loan to help you buy an ultra low emission taxi.

About the switched on taxis loan
How to apply
Eligibility criteria
What happens after you apply?
Case studies

Location notice

Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Scotland.

About the switched on taxis loan

If you’re considering an electric taxi or hackney cab for your business and you operate in Scotland, you might be eligible for an interest-free loan, repayable over six years. The switched on taxis loan is funded by Transport Scotland and can help you purchase new and used electric vehicles.

The loan covers different vehicles depending on whether you operate hackney cabs or private hire vehicles. The maximum loan amount you can borrow is £75,000.

If you want to buy a new purpose-built electric black cab, the loan can cover the cost of purchasing a vehicle eligible under the taxi category of the UK OZEV plug-in grant list.

If you want to buy a new non-purpose-built electric taxi vehicle, the loan can cover the cost of:  
- electric cars (must cost £50,000 or less) – maximum loan amount £30,000 per vehicle
- electric vans (must cost £50,000 or less) – maximum loan amount of £35,000 per vehicle
- electric wheelchair accessible vehicles (eWAVs) – maximum loan amount of £40,000 per vehicle
Our cost caps include VAT. 
If you want to buy a used purpose-built electric black cab, the loan can cover the cost of purchasing one used, purpose-built, electric black cab (included in the UK OZEV Plug-in Grant list) up to a maximum loan amount of £50,000.

If you want to buy a used, non-purpose-built, electric taxi vehicle, the loan can cover the cost of:  
- electric cars (must cost £30,000 or less) – maximum loan amount of £30,000 per vehicle
- electric vans (must cost £30,000 or less) – maximum loan amount of £30,000 per vehicle
- electric wheelchair accessible vehicles (eWAVs) – maximum loan amount of £35,000 per vehicle

How to apply

Simply register and apply through our online application.

Apply now

Eligibility criteria

Make sure you read the loan eligibility criteria for more information.

Some things you’ll need at the time of applying:

Your V5 registration certificate – we’ll need all pages of your certificate.

A bank statement from within the last three months.

If you’re applying as a sole trader or partnership, your most recent tax documents (SA103/SA100, SA800).

Your confirmation that you will not purchase the vehicle(s) before receiving a loan offer. If you do, we won’t be able to accept your application.

Any document uploaded in support of an application which isn’t required for assessing the application, will be deleted from the system.

Applying as for a new vehicle?

You’ll also need a quote(s) for the vehicle(s) you plan to purchase with the loan.

Applying for a used electric vehicle?  

Whichever used vehicle you choose to purchase with the loan, it must be purchased from an acceptable dealership.

The dealership must be either:   

Sales at these dealerships are conducted in-person, as well as through their online platforms. Dealerships must be accredited by the Motor Ombudsman or be part of a trade association signed up to the National Conciliation Service. 

Here are a few associations that are acceptable: 
- National Franchised Dealers Association 
- Independent Garage Association/Trust My Garage 
- Scottish Motor Trade Association 
- National Motorcycle Dealers Association 
- Motorcycle Industry Association 
- Retail Motor Industry Federation 
These dealerships must have an up-to-date website, own the vehicles for sale and have reputable customer support services, as well as robust warranty procedures in place.

Additionally, these dealerships must transparently outline, at the very least, a vehicle’s age, battery capacity, mileage and the interior and exterior condition of the vehicle(s) on any sale document(s) provided.