Next funding round of eCargo Bike Grant Fund confirmed

Energy Saving Trust and the Department for Transport (DfT) have announced a new £400,000 funding round for the eCargo Bike Grant Fund, to help and support small businesses invest in electric cargo bikes.

The eCargo Bike Grant Fund will give businesses an opportunity to introduce eCargo bikes into their everyday transport operations and will cover up to 40% of the total cost, with a maximum of £2,500 for two-wheel models and £4,500 for three-wheel models.

Building on the success of round one of the eCargo Bike Grant Fund in 2019/2020, this scheme is available to all businesses operating in England. Applicants are invited to submit up until 14 December 2021, now with the option of joint ‘high-street’ applications, giving SMEs the option to pool their resources into one application.

Tim Anderson, group head of transport, Energy Saving Trust, comments: “eCargo bikes are an attractive low carbon transport option and are growing in popularity for local deliveries and business operations. The eCargo Bike Grant Fund will provide businesses with an excellent opportunity to make lasting changes to how they transport goods.

“They offer significant benefits, most impressively fuel cost savings and contributing to improved local air quality, both of which are particularly appealing as we work towards a green recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“With more deliveries being made to our homes than ever before, last mile delivery is an important area for consideration in our journey to reduce transport emissions to net zero by 2050. We expect the eCargo Bike Grant Fund to support longer-term and wider uptake of these light vehicles as they become more widely adopted.”

Chris Heaton-Harris, Cycling Minister, said: “eCargo bikes are a great way for businesses to transport goods and make deliveries on time while cutting congestion on our roads and benefitting the environment.

“As we build back greener from the pandemic, this new funding will help businesses enable a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable way to operate in local communities across the country.”

All eCargo Bike Grant Fund support is conditional on recipients signing up to a robust code of practice, which includes cycle safety best practice, developed in association with the UK Cycle Logistics Federation and the Bicycle Association.

Grant funding must be claimed by 14 February 2022. The eCargo bikes do not need to have been delivered for funding to be claimed.