Operators are encouraged to apply for a £100,000 grant to support zero-emission freight consolidation across the city of Bristol.
The grant is to be spent over 12 months and can be used to set-up a new zero-emission consolidation centre, or support an existing one with the same aims.
Suppliers will need to be able to deliver goods to a site on the outskirts of the city, for onward transportation to their final destination by zero-emission vehicle.
This can be any vehicle that doesn’t produce greenhouse gas or air pollutant tailpipe emissions, such as electric vans or lorries, e-cargo bikes, e-scooters and so on.
The new freight consolidation centre forms part of Bristol’s wider One City Plan, which aims for 95% of deliveries to the city centre be zero emission by 2030 and a network of similar sites at all main access routes planned.
Councillor Kye Dudd, cabinet member for transport, said: “Electric freight consolidation vehicles will reduce the number of HGVs entering the city and help us to improve air quality. This scheme will also raise the profile of electric vehicles across the West of England, while cutting costs for businesses.”
The grant application process is now open and applicants must bid through the council’s electronic portal Procontract.
Funding for the scheme has been provided by Go Ultra Low West, a £7m transport project that provides the infrastructure for large scale conversion to electric and ultra-low emission vehicles in the West of England.