Thousands of Irish drivers set for boost with ‘unbelievable deal’ €1,995 move

TAXI drivers now have the chance to snap up an electric car for the price of a summer holiday.

A Government grant scheme and a new Nissan trade-in booster means they can buy a brand-new EV for just €1,995.

Cabbies say they are laughing all the way to the rank with the Government’s eSPSV grant which covers €20,000 of the cost of buying an EV as a taxi, and Nissan’s new €6,500 trade-in booster offer for Nissan LEAF buyers.

Revved-up Paul Clooney was among the cabbies hailing the scheme a fare deal.

The Dublin taxi driver insisted he “couldn’t believe his luck” when he went to trade in his Nissan LEAF taxi having clocked up over 300,000 kilometres in the car over the past six years.

He declared: “It’s an unbelievable car and unbelievable deal. A no-brainer really.

“I got 300,000 kilometres out of my 40 kWh Nissan LEAF and I have spent nothing on it over the years except for the cost of new tyres and wipers. You can’t say that about any other taxi out there.

“I’ve gone for the same car again. The only difference is the colour. You can get it for €1,955 with the Government grant of €20,000, which is absolutely incredible.

“I paid €3,900 because I went for a higher spec but it’s still saving me a fortune. I’d rather be enjoying life in Fuerteventura than having the money tied up in a car.”

Clooney, who drives for Gala Cabs in Ballyfermot, described the motor as a licence to save money.

He said: “I know everything there is to know about the Nissan LEAF having driven 300,000 kilometers in it over six years.

“It’s a super car and it saves you a fortune on running costs.

“I don’t do 12 hour shifts anymore, no one does, the industry has changed. I do four or five jobs, go home, charge the car when I’m having a cup of tea and head back out again. I couldn’t find a better car for that.”

Neil O’Sullivan, Head of Sales at Nissan Ireland, added: “This deal is a no-brainer for taxi drivers who are eligible for grants of up to €20,000 under the Government’s eSPSV Grant Scheme which is purposely designed to assist them in transitioning to electric vehicles.”