Fleets including Transport for London, University of Cambridge, Britvic and PODPoint have already signed up to the ‘Go Ultra Low Company’ scheme just three months after the launch of the initiative.

The campaign recognises businesses with a forward-looking approach to electric fleets

Run by the Go Ultra Low campaign group, the scheme has been endorsed by government and the automotive industry, and recognises organisations that are leading the electric motoring revolution by using electric vehicles (EVs), and pledging to buy even more.

With 65 members have already signed up, the scheme is open to public and private sector organisations that already use EVs, or offer them to employees as company cars, providing there’s a commitment for EVs to make up at least 5% of their vehicle fleet by 2020. This figure is in line with Government forecasts that EVs will represent 5% of total UK new car registrations by the end of the decade.

The first 65 Go Ultra Low Companies include a mix of public and private sector fleets, covering the length and breadth of the UK.

Transport Minister John Hayes said: “It is fantastic that so many companies are leading by example and adding electric vehicles to their fleets, and we want more to follow suit. These companies will benefit from the fuel and tax savings electric vehicles offer, as well as helping to protect the environment.

“The Government is determined to make zero-emission vehicles the best choice for everyone, which is why we have pledged £600 million to support uptake of greener vehicles and work towards making nearly every new car and van in the UK zero emission by 2050.”

Erik Fairbairn, CEO PODPoint, added: “We’re really pleased to have been awarded Go Ultra Low Company status, as we already run a fully plug-in fleet, from our company cars to our installation vans. POD Point is on a mission to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles through the provision of charging points, and the Go Ultra Low scheme supports this by reducing the environmental impact of company transport.”