An event is being held next month in Nottingham where a range of vehicles will be on show for firms of any size, from the public or private sector, to consider for their fleet.

Organised by the city council as part of the Electric Van Experience (EVE) project, staff from the transport team will be on hand to explain the benefits of an electric van, answer any questions and take interested businesses out for a 15-minute drive to help them decide if they’d like to sign up for a 30-day vehicle loan.

Funded by National Highways and delivered as part of the authority’s Workplace Travel Service, EVE was launched a year ago and enables companies to see how making the switch to electric vans could be the right move financially and environmentally.

Cllr Sally Longford, deputy leader and portfolio holder for energy and the environment at Nottingham City Council, said: ‘With the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles brought forward to 2030, we want to support businesses to plan ahead. Electric vehicles are the future but we understand that making the switch is still a big decision.

‘Since launching in 2021, the scheme has proved popular and we’ve loaned vehicles to more than 70 businesses. We now want to ensure that more companies have the opportunity to try it out and see if this is for them.

‘The idea is for firms to experience the benefits of an electric van for themselves before making any commitment. This isn’t available through dealerships or manufacturers, so it’s a unique opportunity and key to addressing the barriers that businesses face with electrifying fleets.’