A FINAL big push is needed to get a Tenbury transport group over the line in its bid to pioneer electric power.

Teme Wheels is looking for £43,800 to fulfil its ambition of bringing an electric mini-bus into service.

The current funding is £37,000 so there is still a way to go.

This is 86 per cent of what is needed and so the goal is almost within touching distance.

But time is running out to reach the target and there is now just two weeks to go.

There is grant funding available but this depends upon other fund raising reaching a target and there has already been an extension to the time to get the commitments that are needed.

The electric vehicle will be a two year pilot study and take people for medical and other essential purposes.

Teme Wheels decided to try to get an electric vehicle in order to follow Government policy.

The government has stated that it will not be possible to purchase new petrol and diesel powered vehicles after 2030.

Community Transport currently relies almost entirely on diesel powered vehicles. The project is to acquire and operate a 7/8 seat electric MPV in a rural area for community transport purposes.

The MPV will have wheelchair carrying capability and will be used to transport people who do not have easy access to transport and may have disability issues.

Destinations will include medical facilities, surgeries, hospitals and essential shopping.

One of the other issues that needs to be resolved is to make sure that there is a dedicated electrical charging point.

John Driver, a community transport veteran who set up Teme Wheels after many years with the Tenbury Transport Trust, says that because of the limited range of electric vehicles, it is vital that the charity has a dedicated charging point.

Funding is supported by Spacehive but matched funding is essential.