Decision details

The report seeks approval for revenue expenditure, funded via an “invest to save” model, to support the Electric Van Centre of Excellence Project, a partnership with Highways England.

To approve up to £353,773 revenue expenditure, funded through an ‘Invest to Save’ model, to support the Electric Van Centre of Excellence project.

1.    The option proposed (30 vehicles plus public rapid chargers to support the scheme with revenue provided through ‘Invest to Save’) maximises benefits to air quality and carbon emission reductions whilst being able to accommodate the vehicles in house, resulting in a stronger proposal which could be produced within the bid timescales.

2.    The funding is appropriate to support the Council’s ambition of improving air quality in Sheffield.

Sheffield City Council considered the following options:

Option 1 – Not applying for the Electric Van Centre of Excellence funding and so having no revenue resource requirement.  This was discounted as the Council has a requirement to improve Sheffield’s air quality.

Option 2 – Bid for a smaller scheme (20 vehicles) and no public chargers, reducing the revenue resource requirement. This was discounted as less ambitious, air quality improvements would be lower and Invest to Save case weaker.

Option 3 – Bid for a larger scheme (60 vehicles) plus public chargers. This would have required the purchase of additional land to store the vehicles, and would be likely to require operation by an external provider. This was less likely to receive support from Highways England due to less certain deliverability, much longer implementation timescale (for land purchase) and a lack of revenue funding (no longer ‘invest to save’ as exceeds capacity to incorporate into fleet)