FREENOW has announced an exclusive incentive with Tesla, offering all FREENOW driver partners up to €5,400 off the list price of a Tesla vehicle. When combined with the eSPSV grant scheme, this can reduce the cost of switching to a new electric taxi by up to €26,590.
The appetite for the switch to electric is clear for drivers and passengers alike, with FREENOW welcoming, on average 13 battery Electric Vehicles (EVs) to its fleet weekly. In the first half of 2024, 14% of all FREENOW trips taken were via EVs, with the EV driver fleet growing by almost 11% in this period. In addition, nearly half (44%) of all FREENOW vehicles in Dublin last year were electric and hybrid.
This partnership supports the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) recently launched Sustainability Strategy, which outlines its commitment to implementing and promoting sustainability practices nationally across the transport sector. As part of the new Strategy, the NTA is aiming for 40% of all taxis in Ireland to be sustainable by 2030.
Danny O’Gorman, newly appointed General Manager at FREENOW Ireland, said: “We’re excited to announce this new partnership with Tesla, which offers an exclusive incentive that makes driving an EV even more affordable for our driver partners. At FREENOW, we continue to take a considerate and comprehensive approach to sustainability. The National Transport Authority has also set ambitious sustainability goals, which we are committed to supporting as Ireland’s No. 1 taxi app.
“Every part of the transport ecosystem has a role to play in reducing emissions, and we see the switch to electric taxi fleets as a huge opportunity for rapid, meaningful change. Our partnership with Tesla is another key step in helping our drivers make this important transition.”
Melanie Naughton, Country Lead at Tesla Ireland, commented: “Creating this opportunity for FREENOW taxi drivers is a significant step in actioning our mission here in Ireland. In two weeks, we have received over 450 requests from drivers across the country, showing a real demand for affordable, high-performance EVs. We look forward to introducing more drivers to our vehicles and further contributing to Ireland’s transition to sustainable energy.”
The offer is available to FREENOW drivers for both the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, two of the best-selling vehicles in Europe in either long-range or rear wheel drive variants. In 2023, the Model Y was the best-selling vehicle in the world. Both vehicles have gained popularity due to their efficient interior spaces, 5-star NCCAP safety ratings and affordable charging rates. Tesla’s Supercharger network lets drivers charge their cars quickly, adding up to 241 km of range in just 15 minutes.
According to the National Transport Authority, the average taxi driver in Ireland covers 32,600km per year whilst in service. In a petrol vehicle, this would cost approximately €4,500 per year; however, with a Tesla Model Y, the estimated cost drops to just €2,700. In Model 3, the estimated cost goes down to €2,100 per year, and this could decrease further through charging at home with an overnight EV tariff.
