Clean Air Cash Incentives for Taxi Drivers Transitioning to New Vehicles in Bradford's CAZ

The Taxi Finance Team • January 12, 2024

The Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Bradford has successfully raised over £4 million, designated to support local taxi drivers in their shift towards electric vehicles.


Licensed operators in Bradford are now eligible to apply for grants, with amounts reaching up to £10,000, facilitating the purchase or leasing of fully electric cabs. The CAZ, initiated in September 2022, accumulated almost £4.5 million in charges and fines within its inaugural six months of operation. Grant allocation will be on a first-come, first-served basis, as underscored by the Bradford Council.


Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places at Bradford Council, remarked, “We recognize the taxi trade's inclination towards adopting fully electric vehicles. This grant is the most significant of its kind in the UK.” A recent survey conducted within the Bradford district's taxi trade revealed that over two-thirds (67.6%) of respondents were contemplating the utilization of fully electric Hackney Carriages or private hire vehicles.


Despite this positive trend, a taxi drivers' group in Bradford expressed reservations. Mohammed Fiaz Suleman, Chair of Bradford Hackney Carriage Taxi Trade Association, voiced concerns, stating, “The absence of charging points on the ranks will impede this initiative.” Mr. Suleman declared his decision not to apply for the grant.


The clean air charge predominantly impacts taxis, lorries, and vans failing to meet emission standards, with exemptions for private car and motorbike drivers. Commercial vehicles entering the area incur daily fees ranging from £7 to £50, and defaulters are subject to a £120 fine in addition to the initial fee.


The implementation of the CAZ has prompted some business owners to highlight issues such as customer confusion and elevated pricing as consequential impacts of the initiative.

You might also like

Robotaxis and Regression: The Crossroads of London’s Taxi Future

By loan2ownltd • July 1, 2025
London’s Driverless Future Rolled Up, Early London is set to welcome its first Level 4 autonomous taxis in spring 2026—far sooner than expected. The UK government has fast‑tracked trials under the Automated Vehicles Act, enabling Uber and Wayve to launch full on‑road robotaxi pilots without safety drivers ft.com+8investor.uber.com+8businessinsider.com+8 zagdaily.com+2gov.uk+2zenzic.io+2 . With potential for a £42 billion economic uptick and 38,000 jobs by 2035, the stakes are high—and the pace is purposeful. What Makes Wayve Unique Wayve’s system stands out by using end‑to‑end AI rather than relying on detailed, pre-loaded maps. The result? A vehicle that learns on the go. A recent ride in a Wayve Ford Mach‑E through central London put it to the test—with AI handling everything from jaywalkers to falling debris and tight lanes wsj.com+14businessinsider.com+14ft.com+14 . It worked. But London, as any driver knows, throws curveballs. Trust and Trials Public confidence isn’t automatic. Though Wayve blends cameras, radar, and lidar for perception, people still want to know: can it handle bad weather? sudden road closures? unpredictable human behaviour? Regulators will require safety performance that matches or exceeds human drivers. How well will the trials check that box? The Iconic Black Cab at Risk Meanwhile, traditional taxis face a different kind of test. The Centre for London warns that black cab numbers have dropped from 22,800 to 14,470 over the last decade. Without support—from easier licensing to loans for electric models—they risk disappearing by 2045 businessinsider.com theguardian.com . TfL is now preparing an action plan—but will it save the legacy fleet? Balancing Innovation with Inclusion Tech-first rollout risks sidelining legacy operators. Effective deployment requires: AI transparency – People need insight into how decisions are made. Driver support – Incentives for electric taxis, training for new tech. Regulatory clarity – Consistent frameworks across cities and councils. Local adaptation – Recognising that what works for robotaxi trials may not work everywhere else. A London Tipping Point  This isn’t just tech hype. These trials will shape the future of UK mobility. If done right, London—and the wider UK—could lead the global AV charge. But if rollout skims over trust or overlooks legacy drivers, gains could backfire. The coming months will be decisive. If the trials prove safe and inclusive, they could open doors to a safer, greener, and smarter transport ecosystem. But that only happens if we bring everyone along—Uber, Wayve, black cabs, regulators, and the public. Otherwise, we risk swapping one crisis for another.

Robotaxis Arrive Early – Is the UK Ready?

By Paul Thompson • June 24, 2025
London’s streets are about to change. The UK government has fast-tracked Level 4 autonomous taxi and bus pilots—including partnerships like Uber and Wayve—to launch in spring 2026.  That’s a full year ahead of the original late-2027 schedule, thanks to the high-stakes ambitions of the Autonomous Vehicles Act. With projections forecasting £42 billion in economic impact and 38,000 jobs by 2035, this isn’t just tech talk—it’s a calculated policy shift

Driverless Taxis in the UK: Racing Ahead—But at What Cost?

By Paul Thompson • June 24, 2025
The UK is about to leap forward in autonomous taxis. Originally scheduled for late 2027, the first Level 4 robotaxi pilots will now hit London streets in spring 2026.  Under the Automated Vehicles Act, these trials aim to showcase self-driving vehicles that require no onboard human drivers, delivered in partnership with tech firm Wayve and ride-hailing giant Uber