The ULEV Experience has released a summary report about some of the lessons learnt during the delivery of a two-year business and public sector support programme dedicated to helping Nottingham-based organisations to understand, trial and implement ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).

The programme has been supported by Nottingham City Council’s Go Ultra Low City funding and delivered through the Workplace Travel Service and a consortium led by Cenex, with partners from DriveElectric, Energy Saving Trust, RideWise, CleanTech Business and Automotive Comms.

Rob Anderson, Senior Fleet Specialist at Cenex, said: “The results from the ULEV Experience show that the provision of Council funded, targeted support can incentivise local businesses to make the transition towards electric vehicles.

“The mix of Events, Fleet Reviews and ULEV Loans delivered through the ULEV Experience was key in enabling businesses to understand the key challenges around electric vehicle adoption, but importantly, ways to overcome these.”

The ULEV Experience programme ran from April 2018 to March 2020 and offered businesses and the public sector within Nottingham City access to fully funded:

• Fleet Reviews, delivered by Cenex and the Energy Saving Trust, providing an independent assessment of the potential to integrate ultra-low emission cars and vans within a company fleet.
• Low Emission Vehicle Loans, delivered by DriveElectric, with a range of different vehicle makes and models available for businesses to trial for up to one month.
• Business Engagement and Events, delivered by CleanTech Business and RideWise, enabling businesses to network with peers and gain additional understanding of ULEVs.

The ‘What We’ve Learnt’ document summarises what the ULEV Experience programme has achieved, and some of the lessons learnt. It is hoped that other cities around the UK will benefit from this knowledge and implement their own solutions to address air quality challenges.

Some highlights include:

• A total of 23 Events, attended by 619 delegates, were delivered by the ULEV Experience during the two-year programme. The events included: Clinics, Ride and Drives, EV Roadshows, Business and Public Engagement events and an Evening Business Networking Reception.
• A total of 34 Fleet Reviews were delivered; 4,385 vehicles were reviewed with 673 replacement ULEVs identified, representing a potential annual saving of 1,008 tonnes of carbon emissions and total cost of ownership savings of £269,491 from the replacement vehicles.
• A total of 75 Low Emission Vehicle Loans were delivered across 41 organisations. Those companies engaged with the ULEV Experience subsequently ordered 29 electric vehicles from DriveElectric, with a large number of companies stating that they would be looking to order electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles at their next replacement cycle.
• £600,000 of Workplace Travel grants were delivered, supporting 60 businesses, public and voluntary sector organisations to install both electric vehicle charging points and active travel infrastructure.

Councillor Sally Longford, Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council and Portfolio Holder Energy, Environment and Democratic Services says “Working in partnership, the ULEV Experience, which is funded by Nottingham City Council’s Workplace Travel Service, has been very successful in supporting businesses to understand, trial and implement Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs).

“By encouraging and supporting local businesses and organisations to make the switch to ULEVs and more sustainable transport, it is hoped that it will help reduce carbon and nitrogen dioxide impacts which transport can significantly contribute to. This can not only improve air quality but will also support Nottingham City Council’s ambition to become Carbon Neutral by 2028.”

Download the ULEV Experience ‘What We’ve Learnt’ report