Rural businesses in Warwickshire have plugged-in to a new project designed to test the efficiency and performance of electric cars in rural areas.
Ten businesses from a variety of sectors including farming, vehicle maintenance, residential care, local deliveries and business services have taken delivery of new electric vehicles as part of the Warwickshire Rural Electric Vehicles project (WREV). The cars, which included eight Nissan Leafs and a BMWi3, were presented to representatives from each company during an official handover event at the Rural Innovation Centre at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
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) – with project management being supplied by Greenwatt Technology.
More than 20 Warwickshire companies initially took part in a feasibility study to determine whether the electric vehicles would represent a suitable investment. Ten businesses have received an RGN grant towards the two-year contract hire costs of an electric car. Dedicated charging points have also been provided by APT Technologies and installed by Premier Electric at each company’s premises. Each company will also benefit from 12 months project support, vehicle monitoring and eco-driving training designed to optimise the use of the vehicle.
Mike Woollacott, project director said, “Our expectations are that electric vehicles will reduce fuel costs for the businesses, lower annual maintenance costs and of course improve air quality. And we are sure that everyone will enjoy the new driving experience that electric vehicles offer!”
For further project details
Please contact Mike Woollacott, Greenwatt Technology
t: 01789 761367 / e: mike@greenwatt.co.uk