Driving business green initiative boosts benefits of electric vehicles

An innovative green initiative helped promote the benefits to the environment and businesses of switching to electric vehicles and renewable energy. The brainchild of Credo Asset Finance, and its specialist Credo Eco Finance division, the event brought together motor dealerships, sustainable energy providers and industry-leading expert guest speakers to highlight the attractions of an electric future.

Altogether 34 electric vehicles (EVs) were on show – some available for test drives – from more than a dozen marques at The Nest, the Community Sports Foundation’s new hub at Horsford, near Norwich. Most were cars, but there were also electric vans, motorbikes and even a small digger, highlighting the range of electric vehicles now available.

Credo marketing manager Fran Brown said it was the first event of its kind in Norfolk – a package combining a wide range of electric vehicles with expert advice from guest speakers about why the time is right to switch to greener energy for transportation and powering commercial premises and homes.

As well as EVs from dealerships, with which Credo is building close working relationships, renewable energy businesses promoted cost-effective sustainable energy.

Managing director Ian Tims said: “It’s just brilliant that we have managed to bring so many local businesses and our business partners together and support what is going to be a major part of everyone’s life going forward when everything is electric. It’s all about trying to make this big leap as easy as possible for people by giving them the knowledge and confidence to consider it.”

Speakers covered a wide range of topics, including environmental benefits and how businesses can play their part, the planned switch to electric vehicles with the 2030 ban on selling new pure petrol and diesel vehicles, the charging network, and financing the switch to a greener energy. Tax benefits and cost savings can make electric vehicles and renewable energy more affordable for businesses.

Ian said: “We have also seen businesses going back to having company cars, but a lot of people are not aware of the tax incentives and very low benefit-in-kind (BIK) rates for employees driving EVs. People moved away from having a company car because of the BIK tax implications, but now there is an incentive to go back to having one if it is electric.”

Speakers were:

• Alex Cliff, Norfolk County Council highway network and digital innovation manager – plans for the EV charging infrastructure in Norfolk.
• Peter Frost, Suffolk County Council environment strategy officer – low carbon business practices.
• Darren Handley, head of infrastructure, grants and delivery at the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles – a national overview of Government plans for switching to EVs.
• Richard Seppings, Anglia Car Charging – making EVs work for your business.
• Mary Schofield, a tax partner from accountants Lovewell Blake – EVs and tax savings for businesses.
• Credo specialists spoke about financing the electric future

The debut Driving Business Green event attracted more than 100 visitors, anxious to explore the options for their specific needs. Fran explained that the idea for working together on the Driving Business Green event had grown out of Anglia Car Charging installing EV charging points at Credo’s office near Norwich Airport. “It is the first time such an event has been held in Norfolk and we are very pleased it received such a great response. We have already decided to make it an annual event, perhaps even more often with the great advances being make in EV technology and new models.”

The event also helped Norwich City FC’s Community Sports Foundation (CSF), which is Credo’s chosen charity, by raising awareness and money. CSF helps more than 38,000 people every year achieve their goals through sport, supporting some of the most disadvantaged, disabled, and talented people in Norfolk.

Credo’s specialist advisors offer no-obligation advice on EVs and renewable energy. Its finance packages can also include the cost of fitting EV chargers at home or business premises.

Call 01603 381955, email sales@credoassetfinance.com or visit the website at www.credoassetfinance.com

The Driving Business Green event promoted the benefits of switching to electric vehicles and renewable energy with expert speakers and a display, and test drives, of EVs