Managed by low carbon consultancy Greenwatt, WREV provides rural businesses with a free feasibility study and cost analysis, with £2,000 grant funding towards the lease of an electric vehicle, a free workplace charging point and a free performance analysis with driver training.

Following this analysis, Taste of the Country, which delivers tray-baked goods based out of Shipston, has deployed a Nissan LEAF on its fleet, with cost savings to be reinvested in the business. The company’s director, Jim Cherry (pictured), said it’s perfect for short delivery routes:

‘I am sure our customers are pleased we are not creating any air pollution when we are in and out of town each day. It is an exciting time for us with our plans for the future,’ he commented.

Specialist dementia residential and day care business Pinnacle Care, based in Rugby, deployed its first Nissan LEAF last May and is claiming a £750 reduction in fuel costs over the 6,000 miles it has covered since. A second electric vehicle has now been deployed on its fleet.

‘We had been using a diesel powered vehicle to transport staff and visitors between Rugby town centre and our semi-rural site at Wolston Grange as there was limited public transport.  But when it came due for replacement we decided to look for other solutions and a feasibility study identified financial savings by going electric,’ said Virginia Bowen, director of Pinnacle Care.