A Bristol-based electric vehicle (EV) start-up has featured in a multi-million pound national advertising campaign for Lloyds Bank.

EcoMove distributes all-electric transport solutions including e-mopeds, e-bikes and step-on scooters, and opened its first store with the support of a funding package from Lloyds Bank. The business has now been selected to appear on billboards, television and newspaper adverts across the country. The campaign highlights businesses from across the UK that have adapted how they work and thrived during the ongoing pandemic.

Since opening its flagship store on Hotwell Road late this summer, featuring an indoor test track for people to come and try before they buy, Ecomove has seen a 400% increase in demand for eco-friendly transport options. Co-founder John Dorman says he plans to create even more jobs in the area having already doubled the team since exiting from lockdown.

EcoMove was founded in June 2019 and sells to the general public via its website and partnerships with various South West businesses who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint. It also works with networking groups like The Future Economy as part of a mutual effort to improve air quality and ease congestion in local towns and cities.

Depending on the model, the scooters have a range of up to 80 miles, can achieve speeds of up to 48mph and the removable battery can be recharged overnight using a normal household plug socket. All models cost less than 1p/mile to run and have zero carbon emissions.

John Dorman, co-founder at EcoMove, said:

“At the start of March, it looked like lockdown might derail our plans, but with the Bank’s support we were able to stay on track. Being selected to feature in this national advertising campaign is the cherry on top of what has been a challenging, but ultimately rewarding, year.

“It’s more important than ever to prioritise our sustainability goals as we emerge from the pandemic, and do our part to protect the environment, which is the reason we started the business in the first place.

“E-mopeds can play a crucial part in tackling pollution in city centres, and taking just one car off the road means taking up to six tons of carbon out of the atmosphere. Now that public transport has been affected by social distancing measures, it’s more important than ever that people have sustainable alternatives that keep them on the move. We are always looking to help business and would welcome a conversation with anyone to talk through how we can help them become carbon neutral.”

Richard Stoneham, Area Manager at Lloyds Bank Business Banking, added:

“EcoMove offers a really exciting, innovative product and is a perfect example of the resilience and innovation we’ve seen from businesses all over the South West during these unprecedented times. It’s so encouraging to see that they have been able to survive lockdown and thrive, setting them in good stead for November’s national lockdown, and it’s fitting that their success story is now being told in our advertising campaign.

“As part of Lloyds Banking Group we have set an ambitious goal of working with customers, the government and the market to help reduce the emissions we finance by more than 50 per cent by 2030, supporting the UK’s ambition to be net zero by 2050. A key part of that will be creating green products and services to make it easier for our customers to invest in tackling climate change. We are also supporting businesses by financing their investments in the green economy.”