A Go Ultra Low Company Launch and Public engagement event is taking place Wednesday 12 October in the Old Market Square from 9-5pm to celebrate Nottingham City Council’s National Go Ultra Low status. This will be a fantastic opportunity for the public and business community to see electric vehicles and meet Ultra Low Emission Vehicle manufacturers, to find out the facts and dispel the myths about owning and operating electric vehicles.
Nottingham City Council has been awarded national ‘Go Ultra Low Company Status’ in recognition of its commitment to convert a significant proportion of their vehicle fleet to Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) before 2020. The City Council has joined the likes of Microsoft UK and Transport for London in receiving Go Ultra Low Company Status. Nottingham City Council currently has 450 fleet vehicles in operation and recently bought 12 electric vehicles in July (two Nissan Leafs and ten Nissan ENV200 vans) whilst a further four ENV200 vans are on order.
This accreditation follows on from Nottingham’s confirmation as one of four winning Go Ultra Low Cities – benefiting from £6.1m aiming to support cities in achieving an exemplar status for the promotion of increased uptake in Ultra Low Emission Vehicles.
Ben Wicks from Go Ultra Low said, “At Go Ultra Low, we know that when motorists first get behind the wheel of an electric car, the realisation is almost instant that these vehicles are just like any other car, but quieter and cheaper to run. Helping residents understand the benefits of electric cars is a demonstration of Nottingham City Council’s forward-looking approach and we’re delighted to award them Go Ultra Low Company status.”
Manufacturers will be showcasing a range of ultra-low emission vehicles including BMW, VW, Audi, Nissan, Tesla along with BYD who will be demonstrating one of the new electric buses that will be trialled on Nottingham’s CentreLink bus route in late October. For younger wannabe drivers there will be an ingenious temporary track available to race four electric powered cars against each other and a competition to win a £50 INTU shopping voucher along with refreshments available to buy, supplied by the Split Screen Coffee.
Councillor Nick McDonald Portfolio Holder for Business, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “This will be a great opportunity to talk to the experts and learn all there is to know about 100% electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Also there will be the chance to sign up to book future test drives with the manufacturers. Low emission vehicles are a central part of the City Council’s ambition to provide a clean, joined-up and integrated transport network for the city that is good for businesses, domestic users and the city’s environment.”