Bid to boost use of electric cars in region

A FLEET of electric vehicles is being offered to businesses across South Yorkshire as part of a new scheme aimed at reducing the region’s carbon footprint.

By The Newsroom

Published 4th Jun 2014, 07:00 BST

From today, small to medium-sized companies in Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham will be offered grants of up to £10,500 if they agree to swap their regular motors for a plug-in vehicle under the project.

The launch event, which takes place at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium, will see 30 employers from across the region test-drive the vans and cars on offer.

Project leaders Sheffield Council hope to recruit 80 South Yorkshire businesses to take part in the scheme by March next year. Grants of £10,500 will be awarded to those who lease a van, while £7,500 is on offer for firms which opt for an electric car.

Coun Jack Scott, the city council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “These vehicles can all get up to 100mph, so speed isn’t an issue. You can get 80 miles from a full charge and there are already charging points at petrol stations in Sheffield and the rest of the UK.”