Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The Zero Emission Grant Programme is being targeted at small businesses
ByChris YoungLocal Democracy Reporting Service- Published45 minutes ago
A £2m fund has been launched to help businesses switch their vehicles to greener vehicles, Bradford Council has announced.
Reform UK council leader Stephen Place said it would help businesses counter the rising cost of petrol and diesel as well as modernise their fleets.
The funding is part of Bradford Council's Clean Air programme, which will allow businesses to apply for up to £16,000 in support.
Announcing the fund at the Scale Up Bradford event on Tuesday, Place said it would help businesses invest in cleaner, more efficient technology to "future proof their operations for years to come".
Earlier this month, Place said he was committed to scrapping Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges as it had a negative impact on businesses.
He accepted the move would have "quite a lot of legalities surrounding it" but said the council would "work to run it out naturally".
Image caption, Stephen Place, Reform leader of Bradford Council, said his party planned to get rid of the CAZ charge, but keep the zone
Funded by the Labour government, the Zero Emission Grant Programme will be targeted at small businesses, charities and organisations, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Businesses will be able to apply for up to £16,000 to improve heavy-duty vehicles and £4,500 for light-duty vehicles.
Bradford Council said the fund would provide practical support to help businesses remain competitive while adapting to new vehicle technologies.
"We want to help organisations to upgrade their fleets and position themselves for future success," said Place.
"I hope that this will appeal to tradies, they are the people out there every day keeping the nation moving."
Petrol and diesel prices have risen significantly since the US-Israel war with Iran.
Currently the average price of petrol in the UK is 173.2p per litre, while diesel costs 199.9p per litre.
Mark Casci, of West Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the plans and said a lot of businesses were looking to "decarbonise" their vehicles.
"Every large business with a fleet is looking at this issue very carefully, it is very much on their agenda," said Casci.
"It is the right thing to do and what customers want. It is driven by customer demand as well as moral responsibility."
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