EV Day initiative

14 September 2020 | David Young

Highways England's green incentive scheme with a multi-million-pound investment that allows businesses to try electric vehicles for free before they buy

EV Day initiative

In an initiative designed to encourage a shift to cleaner, lower carbon vehicles, with £9.3m being handed to local authorities to encourage businesses with diesel van fleets to make the switch to electric.

It works by offering businesses a free trial of electric vehicles for two months.

Following a successful pilot with the Energy Saving Trust and a launch with Leeds City Council earlier in the year, councils in Coventry, Kent, Nottingham, and Sheffield are working to set up their own schemes. On World EV (Electric Vehicle) Day (9 September) the company has announced over £3m funding has been agreed with Bristol City Council.

This is among a host of measures Highways England is taking to improve air quality and tackle carbon emissions from road transport as the UK takes steps to become a zero-carbon economy by 2050.

The scheme has been made possible by Highways England's Designated Funds programme designed to benefit people, the economy and the planet with an overall investment of £936m between 2020 and 2025.

Jim O'Sullivan, Highways England Chief Executive, said:

"We are working with councils across the country to encourage businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles and we expect many more to start using electric vehicles when they experience the savings possible."

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

"Whether you're taking a trip with the family or commuting to work, with the wide range of models at competitive prices, it is now more cost-effective and convenient than ever to drive and charge an electric vehicle.

"This together with our continued support for R&D, will see talented UK-based SMEs flourish, as well as more than 6,000 skilled jobs created up and down the country.

"This is why, on the world's first ever day dedicated to celebrating electric vehicles, I'm delighted to announce our unwavering support for a cleaner, greener transport future."

Councillor James Lewis, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council said:

"Since launching the EV Trials scheme with Highways England in January, we've had a great response. Hundreds of local businesses and charities have already signed up to the scheme and its fantastic to see so many organisations leading by example.

"It's still early days, but it's really promising to see participants starting to invest in electric vehicles of their own. Every organisation choosing to switch to EVs is making a real difference—helping to clean the air we breathe and tackle the climate emergency.

Highways England's Designated Funds programme is divided into four funding streams aimed at making the biggest difference and delivering lasting benefits; environment and wellbeing, users and community, safety and congestion and innovation and modernisation.

Source: Highways England