Council launches green vehicle drive

Leicester City Council is offering grants of up to £15,000 to local businesses that replace diesel vehicles with low-eminssion alternatives.

The Council is looking to award between 100 and 150 grants as part of the scheme, which will run until summer 2021.

Any local business, no matter the sector, can apply for support through the scheme if a vehicle is used as part of its day-to-day work.

The scheme is being part-funded with £1.4 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Grants will only be awarded where clear evidence can be provided which shows that carbon savings will be achieved by changing to a new ultra-low emission vehicle for business purposes.

The value of the grants awarded will be linked to the expected carbon savings of the new vehicles.

Cllr Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor and executive lead on environment and transportation, said: “Supporting businesses in Leicester to green-up their fleets and make to switch to ultra-low emission vehicles will help us continue to cut carbon emissions and further improve air quality across the city.

“Our new grant scheme will offer a generous incentive to help local firms meet the extra cost of replacing an old diesel vehicle with a new low emission electric alternative.

“The grants will be a real boost for anyone that wants to make the switch to cleaner, greener low-carbon electric vehicles for their day-today business.”