The subsidized vehicle belongs to a professional driver in the city of Ptolemaida
The first subsidy payment of 22,000 euros, from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, to a beneficiary of the program has been completed “Green Taxis”implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, offering a significant financial incentive to professional drivers to replace their old vehicles with electric ones.
In particular, the first “green” taxi subsidized by this program belongs to a professional driver in her city Ptolemais. To date, 81 applications for corresponding vehicles have been submitted to the “Green Taxi” program. 53 applications have been included in affiliation decisions, of which 17 were included on 21/11.
“It is an important, symbolically, moment to pay a subsidy, through the “Green Taxis” program, to the first professional driver, who acquired his new electric taxi. Electrification is the future of motoring and the strong will of the political leadership of the ministry is for industry professionals, who wish to purchase an electric vehicle, to take advantage of the very high subsidy that is available. However, interested drivers should be aware that the subsidy of €22,000 per taxi will not remain so high indefinitely. We call on them to take advantage of it and take immediate action to submit their requests”, emphasizes the Deputy Minister of Transport, Christina Alexopoulou, referring to APE BPE.
“The decision we made was purely professional and was made for financial reasons. With the other car, we had a lot of expenses with oil and damages, since it was an old model”, he emphasizes speaking to e-ptolemeos.gr Dimitris Tonias, owner of one of the two electric taxis that circulate in the city.
As he added, “We decided to get electric, which also has a subsidy from the state. After making some payments, we took the electric taxi.” Although it is a difficult time for taxis, the government subsidy was a big incentive for the two Ptolemais professionals so far, who went ahead with the investment and bought electric taxis.
As Mr. Tonias emphasizes, the subsidy was a strong incentive and financially beneficial to drivers for the purchase of electric vehicles. They also avoid major and costly services and damages. The new vehicles have zero emissions, are quiet and do not pollute the environment.
He closes by saying that it is quite a difficult period for taxi drivers, with the traffic being quite low, however the professionals try and stay in the race.
