CGT Lettings & Sales are delighted to have taken on a fleet of fully electric company cars in a bid to reduce air pollution in Gloucestershire. The company manages and sells property in all corners of the county, racking up the associated mileage whilst doing so. Taking the step to give staff electric vehicles (EVs) will significantly reduce the company’s emissions as the cars do not emit any carbon dioxide and run solely on battery power.
The company have acquired five Volkswagen e-Golf cars from local family run specialists Cleevely Electric Vehicles, the first independent garage within Gloucestershire to become HEVRA and Go Ultra Low accredited and is the sister business of Cheltenham-based Cleevely Motors. The e-Golf is ideal for urban journeys, enabling the CGT team to be on the road all day without worrying about losing charge.
Samantha Smith of Cleevely Electric Vehicles said: ‘’We are delighted to support CGT Lettings & Sales in their switch to EVs. It’s essential that everyone does their part in helping reduce carbon emissions across our county. We are committed to helping drivers experience the benefits of low emission vehicles, and it’s great to see this local business leading the way.”
Frequent short journeys and cold starts in petrol and diesel cars are particularly harmful, so switching to electric vehicles means there is an immediate reduction in carbon emissions.
As well as reducing emissions, electric vehicles can also be cost effective to run. The e-Golf only costs 4p per mile versus 14p for the petrol equivalent, and like all electric vehicles is exempt from road tax. As the list price is well under £40k it’s also exempt from the £320 annual surcharge that applies to more expensive vehicles.
Lynne Wheatley, Operations Manager at CGT Lettings & Sales, said: ‘’We are a pro-active business across the board. Switching to electric vehicles was something we decided we needed to do and have done it. Working with Cleevely Electric Vehicles has been fantastic. Taking on these cars has not only enhanced our green credentials but it’s been so educational. We’ve also had electric charging points installed by JEC Electrical at three offices so staff will be able to charge the cars in between appointments. The whole experience has been such a brilliant collaboration between Gloucestershire based businesses.’’
As CGT have dedicated parking at most of their offices, the company has been able to benefit from the Government’s Workplace Charging Scheme which provides £500 towards the purchase and installation of each electric vehicle charge point. However, the cars can also be charged at various locations around Gloucestershire. JEC Electrical are OLEV approved specialists in EV charge point installations and can claim the government grants that are available on customers behalf, meaning ‘’Eco Stations’’ can be installed in the home, workplace or any place attracting visitors.
Richard Jones, Director at JEC Electrical, said: “We are really happy to be working with Cleevely Electric Vehicles to help CGT on this exciting and forward-thinking project, helping to improve the environment in Gloucestershire.”
This is a positive move as the transport sector is responsible for a large proportion of urban air pollution. Many towns and cities in the UK are looking to improve air quality by stopping or deterring vehicles that emit CO2. London has the congestion charge and the extended Ultra Low Emission Zone; Oxford is planning its own Low Emission Zone and Bristol is even banning diesel cars from 2021.
The new cars are complete with CGT Lettings and CGT Sales branding on either side of the vehicles, wrapped by 2020 Signs based in Gloucester. A true collaboration for the benefit of Gloucestershire by Gloucestershire based businesses.
