Shire Leasing are committed to environmental improvement and were instrumental in developing the framework for the UK’s first financial assistance scheme for businesses affected by Clean Air Zones.
We work with local authorities to deliver government grants and interest free finance solutions to UK SMEs, enabling non-compliant vehicles to be replaced affordably.
What is a Clean Air Zone?
Local authorities across the UK have introduced measures to improve air quality within their regions. These initiatives can vary and one that is growing in popularity is the introduction of Clean Air Zones.
A Clean Air Zone is a targeted area marked out within a city, where local authorities are aiming to reduce the carbon emissions from polluting vehicles entering the area. In a charging Clean Air Zone, drivers are charged a fee to enter if the vehicles emission standards do not comply.
How Shire Leasing can support businesses affected by Clean Air Zones?
There are multiple ways that we can support UK SMEs, either independently through our vast range of services, or via financial assistance schemes that we have been appointed to by Councils.
Interest-free finance and grants
Where a local authority is participating in our financial assistance framework, we may be able to administer grants and/or interest free finance. Currently, we can support with the following:
Source your next vehicle(s)
You don’t need to go through a CAZ financial assistance scheme to reduce your carbon footprint. Our specialist Shire Vehicle Solutions team can help you to source single vehicles, right the way through to large commercial fleets, at competitive costs.
Resources and support
As experts in the UK SME marketplace, we have established ourselves as an experienced and reliable funder for vehicles, cleantech solutions and almost anything else business related. With over 30 years of business finance knowledge, vast experience working alongside local authorities to develop Clean Air Zone financial assistance scheme frameworks and memberships with leading environmental/sustainability industry organisations, Shire Leasing can offer a breadth of resources to help businesses make informed decisions.
- To check if your vehicle will be charged in clean air zones in England, go to gov.uk/check-clean-air-zone-charge. You will need your vehicle’s registration number.
- For questions about the vehicle checker’s result, your vehicle’s euro standard or compliance, contact the Central CAZ Support Service using the web form at gov.uk/cleanairzone or call 0300 029 8888.
Working with Local Authorities to implement Clean Air Zone Financial Assistance schemes successfully
We welcome conversations from local authorities and government interested in joining the CAZ financial assistance framework, using our business finance and compliance expertise to guide tailored approaches.
With over 200 years of combined board experience, Shire Leasing’s profound knowledge in delivering business finance was pivotal in developing a framework for the UK’s first financial assistance scheme to support businesses affected by the introduction of clean air zones.
Since being appointed to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Clean Air Zone Financial Assistance Scheme framework in 2020, we have been administering grants and/or interest free finance to UK SMEs to invest in lower emission vehicles that comply with Clean Air and Low Emission Zone standards.
Why choose Shire Leasing?
Committed to Environmental Improvement
Shire Leasing formed a CSR Committee in 2014, with the responsibility of encouraging and improving Shire’s positive impact on the environment, local community and employees.
Since then we have introduced environmentally friendly initiatives to improve existing processes and practices, formed relationships with cleantech specialists and increased our focus on supporting UK SMEs invest in assets that contribute to their carbon footprint reduction affordably.
Dedicated CSR Committee
Since 2014, we have focussed on how to encourage and improve Shire’s positive impact on the environment, local community and employees.
Cambridge Cleantech Member
As a leading membership organisation, Cambridge Cleantech are a powerful catalyst in the cleantech sector responding to global sustainability challenges.
HOME Sustainability Sponsor
Manchester’s HOME are ambassadors for environmental change through innovative #lowcarbon initiatives, training and knowledge-sharing.
Helped develop Bath CAZ framework
Shire Leasing worked closely with Bath & North East Somerset Council to develop a pioneering financing initiative which supports local businesses to upgrade chargeable vehicles.
Talk to one of our team
If you haven’t been able to find the answer to your question or need further support, our award-winning team at Shire Leasing would be more than happy to help.
Simply complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will be in contact with you as soon as they can.