Radio broadcasting star and electric car enthusiast Mark Goodier was in Nottingham this week encouraging local businesses to make the switch to cleaner, greener technology.
Mark – who in 2011 became the first owner of a Nissan Leaf in the UK – was the guest speaker at the DriveElectric EV engagement event, which took place at Highfields Fire Station in Beeston on Wednesday, November 8.
As well as hearing from Mark, those attending were able to test drive a range of electric vehicles (EVs), including a BMW i3, Kia Soul EV, Renault Kangoo ZE and Tesla Model X.
Supported by Nottingham City Council, the event also featured the launch of the council’s Workplace Travel Service, which offers expert advice, fleet reviews and grants of up to £25,000 for businesses, public sector and voluntary organisations looking to invest in lower emission transport.
Councillor Sally Longford, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Local Transport, said: “The council is working hard to improve air quality in the city, and transport emissions are a big part of the pollution problem. We’re keen to encourage and support employers to make the change to low emission vehicles.
“The City Council is already well on the way to converting 20 per cent of its fleet – 80 vehicles – to ULEVs before 2020. This engagement event is a great opportunity for businesses to hear from others who have discovered the benefits of EVs and other lower emission vehicles.
“We’re also excited to launch our Workplace Travel Service, which offers a £25,000 grant that could be used to install EV charge points at business premises, among other things, helping employers to achieve more environmentally-friendly travel and resulting in cleaner air for everyone.”
Mike Potter, Managing Director at DriveElectric, says; “We are proud to be working in partnership with Nottingham City Council offering our expertise and practical support to encourage ultra-low emission transport to Nottingham businesses.
“Hosting the EV engagement and test drive event in Beeston, we are offering transport decision-makers the unique opportunity to try out a range of different electric vehicles and find out for themselves the true potential and business implications of adopting EV technology.
“With driving costs as low as 2p per mile, and the commitment-free flexible leasing arrangements we can offer, electric vehicles make real business sense.“
As part of its Go Ultra Low City status, Nottingham City Council, together with Derby City and Nottinghamshire County Councils, was awarded £6.1m in 2016 from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to help support the uptake of electric vehicles, reducing pollution and improving air quality.
An important part of the Go Ultra Low project is to address misconceptions about electric cars and other low-emission vehicles, while creating an environment that supports increased use of greener technologies.
A number of other projects to support the uptake of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles are under way in the city, including installing 230 charge points across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Derby to support the growing number of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the roads.
Find out more at www.goultralownottingham.org.uk