Member Article

£9.5m low carbon vehicle fund launched

Businesses in the North East are being encouraged to take advantage of a new £9.5 million fund for low carbon lorries and trucks.

The Technology Strategy Board is set to invest in hundreds of electric, hybrid and other low carbon vehicles on UK roads. The Low Carbon Truck Demonstrator Trial project will pay up to 50% of the price difference between conventional vehicles and the low carbon equivalent. It will also pay up to half the cost of an electric vehicle charging point or other clean tech fuelling station.

Zero Carbon Futures, is now looking for partners to take part in the North East bid. It is hoped that this will further strengthen the region’s reputation as a leader in the green transport industry.

Dr Colin Herron, Managing Director of Zero Carbon Futures, said: “Trucking accounts for around 20 % of the UK’s carbon emissions, so it is crucial that we help the region’s transport industry accelerate the adoption of greener technologies.

“This funding offers haulage, transport and delivery companies the chance to procure green trucks at very attractive prices, helping them to not only lower their carbon footprints but also their cost base, in what is a highly competitive sector.”

Funding will be available for purchasing electric trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tonnes, and hybrid trucks of more than 7.5 tonnes. Bids can me made for up to 25 trucks, to be placed with one large fleet or a consortium of smaller operators.

Dr Herron added: “As the UK leader in the manufacture and development of low carbon vehicles, North-East England already has all the right elements in place to make a really strong bid.

“The consortium approach also makes this a unique opportunity for smaller companies in the region to be right at the forefront of some exciting low carbon vehicle technologies.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .