COMPANIES are being urged to support the North-East's bid for a share of £9.5m to place hundreds of low-carbon commercial vehicles on the roads.

Gateshead College's Zero Carbon Futures programme is seeking partners to put together a strong bid from the region, to help the North-East lead the way in using hybrid and electric vehicles for business.

Money secured through the bid will pay for up to half the price difference between a conventional diesel vehicle and a low-carbon equivalent, and up to half the cost of an electric vehicle charging point or cleantech fuelling station.

Funding for the Low Carbon Truck Demonstrator Trial project is being provided by the Government's Technology Strategy Board.

The region is already recognised as the UK leader in low carbon vehicle development and production, and programme leaders say the bid will give businesses the chance to pioneer using these vehicles commercially.

Programme funding is available for buying electric trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 3.5 tonnes and hybrid trucks with a GVW of more than 7.5 tonnes.

Bids can be for up to 25 trucks, to be placed with one large fleet or a consortium of smaller operators.

Dr Colin Herron, managing director of Zero Carbon Futures, said: "Trucking accounts for around 20 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions, so it is crucial that we help the region's transport industry accelerate the adoption of greener technologies.

"This funding offers haulage, transport and delivery companies the chance to procure green trucks at very attractive prices, helping them to not only lower their carbon footprints but also their cost base, in what is a highly competitive sector.

"As the UK leader in the manufacture and development of low carbon vehicles, North-East England already has all the right elements in place to make a really strong bid.

"The consortium approach also makes this a unique opportunity for smaller companies in the region to be right at the forefront of some exciting low carbon vehicle technologies."

A free open day to demonstrate the opportunities for North-East vehicle and system manufacturers, plus truck and large van operators will be held on Monday.

The event, in association with electric truck manufacturer Smith Electric Vehicles, takes place at Gateshead College's test track in Sunderland, between 8am and 11am.

Along with learning more about the truck programme, guests will also have the opportunity to test drive vehicles on the track.

To book a place at the event, email zerocarbonfutures@gateshead.ac.uk, or telephone 0191-490-2474.