Free EV trials for UK businesses
If you’ve been considering making the electric switch but you’d be keen to try before you buy, there’s good news.
Highways England is giving British businesses the opportunity to operate electric vehicles (EVs) for two months – for free.
True story.
Rollout starting in several locations
The scheme’s already been trialled by Leeds City Council and Energy Saving Trust, and now Highways England is rolling it out across several locations, including Coventry, Kent, Nottingham, Sheffield and Bristol.
Depending on where you are in the country, the schemes look slightly different, but – wherever you are – the aim is to reduce air pollution on the strategic road network.
For example, in Sheffield, local businesses can trial one of thirty Nissan e-NV200s vans for two months, at no cost. Whereas in Coventry, there are 50 vehicles available, including three LEVX black cabs.
The overall investment into the initiative stands at some £936m over five years.
“A fantastic initiative for businesses”
Melanie Clarke – Customer Service Director for Highways England – said: “This is a fantastic initiative for businesses and we’re keen to play our part in helping to improve air quality and tackle carbon emissions.
“Our work with Coventry City Council is just one example of us working with local authorities 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 scheme.”
Vehicles in the trial in Leeds were driven upwards of 10,000 miles for a plethora of activities, from food deliveries and transportation for key workers.
NHS ahead of other businesses
The trial comes at the same time as news of the NHS’s electrification progression. To date, 51% of NHS trusts have already installed infrastructure for electric vehicle charging for staff, patients and visitors to use.
But they’re not stopping there.
Another 43% of trusts already have plans to install charging facilities on their sites within five years. Only 6% aren’t yet planning to install charging points.
Commercial benefit from making the switch
When asked how having more charging points would affect their existing systems, 53% responded saying they’d need to find ways to increase their electrical capacity. At the same time, 41% claimed they’d probably need to take on greater costs.
Which indicates they’re not all thinking commercially just yet.
You see, only 24% of responding NHS trusts have already recognised the potential to use charging facilities to create new revenue streams.
For example, by introducing facilities like vehicle-to-grid, trusts could benefit from EVs storing energy and selling it back to the electricity grid as and when it’s needed.
But what do you think?
Where are you in your electrification journey so far?
If you haven’t made the leap just yet and one of the “try before you buy” schemes is taking place near you, would you be tempted to give it a go?
Or have you already made the switch and started reaping the financial AND green benefits? We’d love to know where you’re at so drop us a line on [email protected].
