Plug your rural business into electric vehicle scheme

An electric vehicle scheme which is helping rural businesses save money and the environment, is offering more firms the chance to get into the driving seat.

Warwickshire’s Rural Electric Vehicles project provides £2,000 grants towards the contract hire costs of an electric van and installation of charge points on business premises. The scheme also offers a free review to help people decide whether electric vehicles are right for their business, both financially and technically.

One of the latest businesses to benefit is food retail store and supplier Taste of the Country in Shipston-on-Stour, which has grown significantly in recent years supplying a vibrant local market as well as big names such as the Natural History Museum in London.

In order to expand and increase their product range, Taste of the Country moved their kitchen to a nearby industrial unit. The business received a £2,000 grant towards an electric vehicle to transport products between their new kitchens and shop each day, as well as their weekly wholesale delivery round. The firm, which now has a charging point at its industrial unit, has made significant fuel cost savings which are being reinvested back into the business as well as improving the company’s ‘green credentials’.

The project is part of the Warwickshire Rural Growth Network funded by Defra and led by Warwickshire County Council, on behalf of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Grant funding is available to other rural businesses for electric vehicles through the Warwickshire Rural Electric Vehicle project – with a focus upon support for electric vans. Contact Greenwatt Technology on 01789 761367 or by email transport@greenwatt.co.uk for more details: http://www.greenwatt.co.uk/WarwickshireRuralElectricVehicleProjectWREV.htm

Each company will also benefit from 12 months of project support, vehicle monitoring and an eco-driving training opportunity designed to optimise the use of the vehicle. Dedicated charging points have also been provided at each company’s premises.

For more information about the Rural Growth Network please visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ruralgrowthnetwork