Shropshire green energy firm urges dealerships to act fast over £18 million electric truck grants
An electrical engineering specialist has urged commercial transport dealerships across Shropshire to act quickly to take advantage of an £18 million funding boost for electric trucks.
The increase to the Government's Plug-in Truck Grant will cut up to £120,000 from the cost of a new electric truck until the end of March.
Joe Collison, managing director of Shrewsbury-based CES, welcomed the move and called on dealerships to act now to secure the maximum benefit for their customers.
He also highlighted the need for dealerships and operators to work together to ensure charging infrastructure is in place so new trucks can be put into service immediately.
Under the new grant levels, fleets buying smaller electric trucks of between 4.25 tonnes and 12 tonnes can save up to £20,000, up from £16,000.
The grant for mid-sized trucks of 12 to 18 tonnes has increased to £60,000 and for trucks of 18 to 26 tonnes it has risen to £80,000. A discount of £120,000 applies to trucks over 26 tonnes.
CES is based in the village of Ford and is a renewable energy specialist working with manufacturers and agricultural businesses, specialising solar projects with battery storage.
Mr Collison said: "This funding is a real boost for the sector at a time when businesses are under pressure to cut emissions and modernise their fleets.
"The three-month window for the extra support means dealerships that act now will be in the strongest position to help customers make the switch to electric.
"There is already genuine demand for charging infrastructure from commercial vehicle dealerships and this will only increase. Dealerships need to help customers plan for this by bringing reliable installation experts in early."
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