| The necessary focus on going greener in the midst | | | | and allocation of funding by an independent private |
| of our economic challenges makes us as a fleet | | | | sector led board |
| insurance company pose the question whether the | | | | Who is eligible? |
| government incentives will be enough? | | | | -Companies of all sizes are eligible to apply |
| The UK Government announced at the end of July | | | | -Any private of public sector firm who is interested in |
| 2010 that more than 1 million pounds will be made | | | | installing refuelling or recharging vehicles can apply for |
| available to fleet managers. This is part of the | | | | a grant |
| Infrastructure Grant Programme and is an incentive | | | | -Companies located outside of the UK may apply |
| for switching to electric vehicles or alternative fuels. | | | | once the investments will be carried out in the UK |
| This programme will be managed by Cenex, who will | | | | Plug In Car Grant |
| manage the programme on behalf of the | | | | Additionally there is the Plug-In Car Grant, as |
| Department of Transport. All of this is part of the | | | | announced by Philip Hammond. From 2011 fleet |
| initiative to cut the sector's carbon emissions by 14 | | | | drivers and private motorists will be entitled to a |
| per cent over the next ten years. | | | | 'Plug-In Car Grant' of up to 5,000. |
| Cenex is the UK's Centre for Excellence for Low | | | | To qualify for this grant you need to buy an electric, |
| Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies. Robert Evans, | | | | plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell car. The vehicles |
| Cenex Chief Executive explained that the costs of | | | | must meet reliability, performance and warranty |
| installing, recharging and refuelling has been quite off | | | | standards set by the Office for Low Emissions |
| putting to fleet managers when considering the | | | | Vehicles (OLEV) in consultation with industry. |
| switch. | | | | Short Term Leasing On The Increase |
| The funding will be available to businesses of all sizes | | | | However the Managing Director of Equalease, Paul |
| and the grants can account for as much as 50 per | | | | Ashton, has announced in August 2010 that the |
| cent of the total cost of installing a new fuel | | | | number of fleets which are renewing on a rolling |
| infrastructure. | | | | short term basis is increasing. Therefore companies |
| So what are the criteria to qualify for this funding? | | | | are opting to renew on 3 or 6 month contracts. |
| -Grant applications need to be made and accepted | | | | Many businesses do not want to enter into either |
| before the investment | | | | long term lease arrangements or buy new vehicles at |
| -Refuelling sites must be open for third party access | | | | a time of such economic uncertainty. Even though |
| and be based in the UK | | | | there is an additional cost of 20-25% per month, |
| -Dispensing attachments need to comply with | | | | many businesses are opting to pay this in favour of |
| industry accepted vehicle health and safety standards | | | | the flexibility it allows to them. |
| -Grants are awarded after successful assessment | | | | |