Dundee is in line to claim part of a £20 million windfall to increase the number of electric taxis through a UK Government initiative.
The city is one of eight potential winning schemes who will receive a study into providing more environmentally-friendly travel opportunities in their area.
Seagate, Meadowside and Lochee Road have been found to be among the worst streets in Scotland for air pollution from nitrogen dioxide and particulates.
The studies will gather information into how local authorities could use the money to reduce the upfront cost of purpose-built taxis and install charging infrastructure for taxi and private hire use. The winning schemes will be announced next April.
David Young, owner of 203020 Electric Taxis, praised Dundee City Council’s role supporting the industry and said money would be used to provide wheelchair accessible vehicles.
However, he said it was “too early” to tell whether or not a rise in the number of electric taxis would have any impact on fares.
UK Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “Dundee has shown they are committed to adopting greener technology and the Government is backing their ambition by showing the benefits a share of £20 million of funding could deliver.”
Dundee is the only Scottish shortlisted bid and will receive a feasibility study alongside Birmingham, Cambridge, Coventry, Nottingham, Oxford, Sheffield and West Yorkshire authorities.
If successful, the city will receive a £2.2 million share of the cash, which environment committee convener Craig Melville called “great news”.
He added: “The city is already ahead of the game when it comes to the use of low emission vehicles with the council leading the charge by using 62 in its own fleet and by encouraging and supporting the use of electric vehicles with the installation of the infrastructure for charging vehicles.”
The eight feasibility studies, each backed by £30,000 of Government funding, will be independently carried out by the Energy Saving Trust (EST).