Member Article

Stockton Borough event urges businesses to drive electric

A special event in Stockton Borough next week will help businesses across the Tees Valley see how electric vehicles could benefit them as well as giving a boost to the local economy.

Businesses and organisations looking to reduce their transport costs whilst also helping to support the green technology sector in the Tees Valley are being encouraged to attend.

The event is being organised by Stockton Council and tadea with support from Zero Carbon Futures, Charge Your Car and Tees Valley Unlimited.

It will be held between 8.30am and 1pm on Friday 22 March at CableCom, Westland Way on Preston Farm Industrial Estate.

There will be a chance to test drive some of the latest models of electric and hybrid vehicles from the award winning ZE van from Renault and the Sunderland-built Nissan Leaf to hybrids from Lexus, Toyota and Peugeot.

A range of experts will talk through the benefits which include:

• Significant benefit-in-kind taxation advantages
• No road tax
• No petrol costs (the cost of charging a vehicle in the workplace is around £2)
• 20 per cent reduction in maintenance costs in comparison to petrol or diesel vehicles
• Grants are available for charge points in the workplace
• Free electricity and free parking in some prime locations when charging through the Charge Your Car network

Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor David Rose, said: “We want to help support the growth of this low carbon automotive sector which is a vital part of our green technology sector in the Tees Valley which is not only helping to reduce our region’s carbon footprint but is creating employment opportunities as well.

“Electric vehicles are rapidly becoming a popular choice for businesses. The low costs associated with running electric vehicles and the carbon-related taxation discounts can generate significant savings, whilst also helping the environment by reducing pollution created through business related journeys.

“There is a fast growing network of charging points across the region, including 532 public charging points – some of which can recharge a car within 20-30 minutes.

“It makes great business sense to use electric vehicles so I would definitely encourage managers and fleet managers to come along to this informative and free event to find out more.”

Alan Jones, tadea’s Business Development Manager, says: “For businesses, there are huge advantages associated with making the switch to electric vehicles. They can help cut transport costs, improve driver safety and, as they have no tailpipe emissions, can provide a significant boost to a company’s environmental performance. Also, because they have fewer moving parts, electric vehicles require very little maintenance. This is a considerable cost saving, especially as cars get older – a real bonus from a fleet manager’s point of view.

“In the North East we are particularly lucky in that we have one of the most advanced and comprehensive charging networks in the UK – and one that is improving all the time.

“At tadea, we believe that the electric vehicle has really come of age. The benefits of including them in a business fleet’s motoring mix means that they now simply demand to be considered as a serious and credible alternative to petrol- and diesel-driven cars. This event is a must for those who would like to find out more. Come along and take an electric vehicle out for a test drive, or just talk to other fleet managers who are already feeling the benefits of having them in their fleet.”

Further information about the event, including the registration form, information about the speakers and a full list of the cars available to test drive can be found at www.tadea.com/tomorrowsworldtoday

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