CRP’s Spotlight On: Brixton BID

This week, we are showcasing the work of CRP BID partner Brixton BID. Established in 2014 by local businesses, Brixton BID works to make the district a sustainable and distinctive destination. Hear what Managing Director Gianluca Rizzo and Projects Lead Reece Simwogerere have to say about Evie, the BID’s shared electric vehicle:

Brixton BID has managed to secure a continuation of the exclusive and unlimited access to the first-ever shared electric van ‘Evie’ to all Brixton businesses in partnership with Zipcar and London Borough of Lambeth. As members will be aware, the project began with CRP involved, as part of CRP’s Defra-funded Clean Air Villages 2 programme, in November 2019. Evie has a positive impact on air quality and helps small businesses transition to low-carbon ways of working.

The joint initiative, The Brixton Electric Van Project, aims to help businesses thrive and create a positive impact on the community and was due to end on 25th November 2020. However, thanks to the positive feedback received regarding many benefits delivered to local businesses, the BID and partners are happy to announce that Evie will remain in Brixton and give local businesses exclusive shared access 24/7. This project has so far proven to be an unqualified success for Brixton, with usage over the initial one year period resulting in the equivalent miles of driving to New York City! All of these miles would have been otherwise driven by a tailpipe polluting equivalent.

Gianluca Rizzo, Managing Director of the Brixton BID, said of the update, “In these difficult economic times, we are doing everything to support our businesses whilst also being considerate towards the environment. Our mission to make Brixton a sustainable business destination continues.”

Brixton BID, Zipcar and London Borough of Lambeth have worked together to ensure the project can continue to help local businesses and the environment. In order to continue to offer unlimited access to the e-van, businesses can book Evie at the discounted rates of either £7 per hour or £50 per day. This is more competitive than both the standard business discount and Zipcar’s consumer van rate, saving up to £4 an hour or £55 per day. Lambeth Council has committed to ensuring the parking bay can continue to be used for e-van parking.

We’d like to thank everyone involved in the project for their continued commitment.