Shire Leasing’s ‘Driving Clean Air’ programme secures fifth council contract win

Fast forward from Shire Leasing’s initial development and support of the Bath and North East Somerset Clean Air Zone (CAZ) Financial Assistance Scheme framework in 2020, their dedicated ‘Driving Clean Air’ programme has grown to deliver subsidised vehicle finance and grants through its fifth council appointment.

Shire Leasing now administer CAZ financial support for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Bristol City Council and the joint Newcastle and Gateshead council scheme which they announced in early December.

The most recent addition to Shire’s Driving Clean Air programme comes by way of Sheffield City Council who have appointed the funder to deliver up to £28m funding which will help businesses to reduce the cost of replacing non-compliant vehicles. The financial assistance scheme to support motorists impacted by the upcoming Sheffield CAZ opened for applications from eligible businesses on 12th December.

Commenting on the launch of Sheffield’s Financial Assistance Scheme, Julie Henehan, Corporate Development Director at Shire Leasing, said: “The Sheffield City Council financial assistance scheme is the fifth addition to our Driving Clean Air programme. We’re delighted to be working with the Sheffield team to support the city in improving air quality, making it an even better place to live, work and visit.

“Over the past three years our team have developed expertise in delivering Clean Air Zone financial assistance and we look forward to bringing our knowledge and hassle-free processes to help eligible SME’s to upgrade their vehicles swiftly and more affordably.”

In 2019 the Government identified 28 local authorities where vehicle emissions were adversely impacting air quality. These authorities were directed to take measures to reduce levels of nitrogen oxide and the early statistics from those implementing clean air zones shows positive signs. “

Since financing the very first vehicle on the Bath scheme in January 2021, Shire Leasing played a key role in enabling fleet compliance throughout the city, providing funding for over 40% of all vehicles replaced through the Scheme. The Council’s Q2 2022 report shows that the charging zone is having the intended effect, a reduction of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at all monitored sites compared with the same period in 2019 (pre-Covid). This is despite traffic levels returning to normal after the pandemic.