Led by Warwickshire County Council and managed by Greenwatt Technology, the Warwickshire Rural Electric Vehicles (WREV) project will study the usage of eight Nissan LEAFs and a BMW i3 by a group of companies spanning sectors including farming, vehicle maintenance, residential care, local deliveries and business services.

Participants, chosen from a group of 20 who undertook initial feasibility studies, each get a grant towards two-year contract hire costs on an electric vehicle through the Defra-funded Warwickshire Rural Growth Network.

Each will also get a charging point from APT Technologies, installed at their premises by Premier Electric, and a 12-month support package including vehicle monitoring and driver training.

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!’