The value of using electric vehicles will be the focus of a free one-day workshop for small and medium businesses in Cumbria.

Organised by Eco-Innovation Cumbria, the event will feature demonstrations by some of the region’s leading experts.

Key note speakers Helen Acott, fleet manager for the Energy Savings Trust, and regional development manager for Renault North West, Mathew Kiziuk, will explain how adopting electric vehicles will help businesses to progress.

Regional car specialists DSG will talk about the reality of using an electric vehicle and the practicality of the technology, emissions, range, lifespan, warranties, running costs, and charging.

The workshop, on February 26 at The Beacon in Whitehaven, aims to help firms understand the business case for electric vehicles and discuss the changing EV infrastructure in Cumbria.

Glyn Griffiths Eco-Innovation Cumbria Project manager said: “Businesses increasingly recognise their responsibility to help the environment. "This workshop will explain how they can reduce impact on the environment and reduce CO2, at the same time building business partnerships and collaborations that will collectively help to create the change to a cleaner environment.

“This workshop will be fast-paced and interactive, encouraging exciting collaborations between organisations as well as innovative solutions. We hope it will appeal to those who have fleets of vehicles, cars and vans, traders and those who use vans for their work.”

Other contributors include Simon Brace, Lakes Electric Delivery Service (LEDS), Phil Davies, Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), Al Wilson from the Centre for Leadership Performance (CfLP), Daniel Heery, Will Madden and Sue Gilbertson from Charge my Street.