This document discusses the benefits of businesses adopting electric vehicles early. It notes that Bristol has air quality and congestion issues despite being the European Green Capital. Businesses are helping to address this by pushing for long-term transport strategies, encouraging electric vehicle uptake through test drive events, and supporting initiatives like the Big Commuting Challenge. The benefits to businesses include good PR, reduced running costs for fuel, maintenance and taxes, and access to subsidies for charging infrastructure and vehicle costs.

1. Electric Vehicles
Why should business be an early adopter?
Nina Skubala
Initiative Manager, Business West
Vice-Chair, Green Capital Partnership
Director ,Go Green Business
Nina.Skubala@businesswest.co.uk
@GoGreenBristol/@bw_initiative/@bgreencapital

2. Introduction

3. • Business West – Leading business support organisation in the South West –
working with over 18,000 businesses
• West of England Initiative – Business leadership team who's remit is enabling
businesses to play a role in how the area is shaped and developed ensuring it
remains the best place to live
• Go Green – Run by Low Carbon South West and Business West – it’s the main
business engagement program during Bristol 2015. Currently engaging 800+
businesses
• Bristol Green Capital Partnership – Civil leadership body seeking to create a low
carbon city with a high quality of life for all

4. Bristol
An award winning city

5. European Green Capital

6. But…
• Second most city congested city in UK in 2013
according to Tom Tom
• Noise pollution along the M32, shows that the
noise can reach 75+ decibels in many areas
• Air quality in 90 Bristol streets out of 123
measured by council had levels above the EU
limit in 2010

7. Why does this matter?
• Traffic congestion costs UK economy £4.3bn a year
• More than £426m is wasted on fuel alone a year
• The cost in terms of lost time is £331 per commuter a year, or
£2.7bn,
• Hold-ups to business or freight vehicles amounts to £1.1bn
annually being added to household costs
• Noise and air pollution create stress and health problems and
make life very unpleasant for those affected

8. How is the business community
making a difference?

9. Pushing for a long term transport strategy
•Produced a 2050 vision for the city: High in Hope
•Pushing for integrated transport and planning across the 4
local authorities that make up the West of England

10. Early adopters

11. Encouraging take up of EV
• Supported The Mall at Cribs to have a Sustainable Travel element to
their motor show
• Run events through Go Green, Business West and Low Carbon South
West to encourage further take up – over 100 delegates came to a
recent Go Green Breakfast and had the opportunity to test drive EV!
• Support the #BigCommutingChallenge to help employers to engage
staff – 3000 took part in 2014 – Aim to reach 5000 by 2015

12. What are the benefits to your business?
• Good PR
• Reduced running costs (tax, fuel, parking,
maintenance)
• Access to subsides (Enhanced Capital Allowance; free
charging points)

13. More information
• Business West www.businesswest.co.uk/
• West of England Initiative http://initiativewest.co.uk/
• Go Green Bristol www.gogreenbusiness.co.uk
• Low Carbon South West www.lowcarbonsouthwest.co.uk
• Bristol 2015 www.bristol2015.co.uk
• Green Capital Partnership http://bristolgreencapital.org/