Electric vehicle company DriveElectric is working with Transport for London (TfL) to offer micro businesses and charities a switch to pure electric vehicles under the Mayor of London’s new Van Scrappage Scheme.
Launched earlier this year for the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in London, the Mayor of London’s Van Scrappage Scheme gives eligible drivers financial support to help them switch to a lower emissions model using grants of up to £6,000 per vehicle.
The scheme aims to put more than 200 electric vans onto London’s roads.
Anyone driving into London’s ULEZ every working day with an older diesel van faces a bill of £480 each month for congestion and ULEZ charges. However if they choose to scrap the vehicle it will be replaced by a pure electric Renault Kangoo ZE Maxi van on a lease costing £99 per month, which is free from ULEZ or London congestion charges.
Based on a diesel van driving into central London five days a week, paying ULEZ and Congestion Charges, plus costs for an annual 6,000 mileage fuel use, DriveElectric has worked out that switching to an electric van can save businesses more than £6,500 annually, per van.
Mike Potter, managing director of DriveElectric said, “Reducing vehicle emissions should be high on everyone’s agenda. It is so important to get as many zero emission vehicles on our roads as possible and it is now achievable. The Mayor of London’s van scrappage scheme will help us bring more fully electric vans within easy and affordable reach of thousands of businesses across London.
“With this initiative’s support it’s now possible for us to provide vehicles to London businesses from under £100 per month. The savings in fuel, vehicle maintenance, Congestion and ULEZ charges already combine to make going electric in London an irresistible proposition. With the additional support of the van scrappage scheme we hope more and more businesses will agree it’s time to go electric ”
More than 276,000 diesel van drivers are estimated to be affected by London ULEZ charges. The zone is currently operational in the centre of London but by 2021 will be extended.
