As an appointed funder on the Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme (FSS), Shire Leasing can support eligible businesses in GM by providing access to finance to support the upgrade of non-compliant vehicles.
We have significant experience in delivering financial support to UK SME’s through our Driving Clean Air programme, this enables investment in lower emission vehicles that comply with Clean Air and Low Emission Zone standards.
How to get started?
To apply for the Financial Support Scheme you will need to set up a secure online account with Clean Air GM. You can learn how to do this by reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s).
Ready to apply for funding?
If you have already received your Clean Air GM Fund Award Notification and wish to apply for financial support, find out about the options that we can offer and make an application.
Testimonials from our customers
We have delivered funding to hundreds of happy customers through our Driving Clean Air programme, enabling them to upgrade to vehicles that comply with Clean Air Zones.
We recognise that our customers are busy and focussed on their business, so we aim to make the process as simple and as efficient as possible.
Read the testimonials from our customers.
Quick links
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About Greater Manchester‘s Clean Air Zone
Taking action to improve air quality on local roads, all ten local authorities within Greater Manchester have worked together to develop a Clean Air Plan, encouraging vehicle owners to upgrade to cleaner vehicles.
More than £120m in government funding is available to support eligible Greater Manchester businesses, people and organisations to upgrade to cleaner vehicles.
Funding will be distributed through this Financial Support Scheme, which offers eligible owners of a non-compliant vehicle the option of either a lump sum grant, subsidised finance or a combination of the two to support upgrading to a compliant vehicle.
As an appointed funder on the scheme, eligible businesses can apply for funding through Shire Leasing directly, or via Accredited Vehicle Dealerships.
Accredited Vehicle Dealerships we work alongside
We will need to approve the Dealership that is supplying your replacement vehicle. You will find a list of Accredited Dealerships on our website, but if the Dealership you wish to work with is not listed then please let us know on your application and we will review them. Please note that if you wish to utilise your Fund Award using the ‘Combined – Grant and Finance’ option, Clean Air Greater Manchester will also need to approve the Dealership. This is because the Grant element of the award will be paid directly to the Dealership by Clean Air Greater Manchester.
By choosing to upgrade your vehicle(s) with an accredited dealer that Shire Leasing work with, you could gain access to:
- Vehicles at reduced rates
- Free ancillary upgrades and add-ons
- A smooth and efficient point of sale finance application process completed at the dealership once you have located a suitable replacement vehicle
You can see and visit the websites of Accredited Dealerships we already work closely with by simply clicking on their name in the table.
Dealership Name | Vehicle types |
HGV / LCV | |
LCV / HGV | |
HGV / LCV | |
HGV | |
HGV | |
HGV / Buses | |
HGV | |
HGV / LCV / Taxis | |
HGV / Coaches | |
HGV | |
HGV / LCV |
A tree planted for every replacement vehicle
Through the scheme we will help improve the air quality in the Greater Manchester area making it an even better place to work, live and visit.
In addition, as part of our commitment to sustainability, for every customer that we support in financing a new vehicle, we commit to planting a tree to support reforestation. A simple commitment with the aim of further improving the environment.
Clean Air Zone financial support from a reliable funder
We are a British business that has been supporting UK SME’s for over 30 years through a range of economic cycles. As experts in the UK SME marketplace, we have established ourselves as an experienced and reliable funder for business related assets. Our experience of supporting other clean air schemes means that we are well placed to provide GM’s businesses with the support needed to access financing to invest in compliant vehicles.
Compare options to suit your business
Finance Lease
Finance Lease
Shire Leasing buys your chosen vehicle on your behalf, leasing it back to you in exchange for agreed repayments over an agreed term. Your business will have use of the vehicle without any high upfront costs or mileage restrictions and rentals can be up to 100% tax deductible. At the end of the agreement, with our permission, the vehicle can be sold by you to a third party and you will receive 95% percentage of the sale proceeds. The VAT on both the grant (if combined option selected) and the finance contribution paid by Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme will be payable together with your first regular rental repayment, but can be reclaimed in the normal course of business.
The benefits:
No major upfront costs – for just a small outlay you can use the vehicle immediately
Flexible repayment structure – rental payments can be tailored to match your cash flow
Tax advantages – finance lease rentals can be up to 100% tax deductible
No mileage restrictions – drive the vehicle without the worry of additional charges for exceeding mileage restrictions
Hire Purchase
Hire Purchase
A simple and straightforward way to pay for your vehicle. We hire the vehicle to you for an agreed period of time at an agreed repayment. You can gain ownership (title) by paying an ‘Option to Purchase fee’ of £150+VAT, provided that you have paid off all other sums due under the agreement. VAT on the balance financed is due along with your first rental but can be reclaimed in the normal course of business.
The benefits:
Ownership – the asset can be yours at the end of the agreement through a final nominal transfer of ownership fee provided all repayments are made
No major upfront costs – for just a small outlay you can use the vehicle immediately
Flexible repayment structure – rental payments can be tailored to match your cash flow
Tax advantages – the vehicle can be retained as a company asset on your balance sheet allowing some businesses to claim full capital allowances
No mileage restrictions – drive the vehicle without the worry of additional charges for exceeding mileage restrictions
Complete your application
Please ensure you have all relevant information ready, including information about your business, your existing vehicle VRN and, if you have them, the replacement vehicle details. You can still continue with an ‘in principle’ application if you haven’t sourced your vehicle yet, giving you confidence that the approval is in place before you start your vehicle search.
If your business meets the eligibility criteria for the Financial Support Scheme and has been issued a Fund Award Notification by Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme, you can continue with your application.
Please be prepared to upload your Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme Fund Award Notification (FAN) in Step 5 of the application. If you’re unable to upload the document at this stage, you can still submit your application and then separately email it to us at proposals@shireleasing.co.uk. Uploading the FAN directly is preferable as this will allow us to progress your application immediately.
Alternatively, if you have your Fund Award Notification but wish to discuss your options before finalising your new vehicle requirements, please request a call back from one of our team who can talk you through your options.
Please be aware that our working hours are Monday to Thursday 09:00 to 17:30 and Friday 09:00 to 17:00. Applications will only be processed within these hours.
Answers to your frequently asked questions
Scheme
How do I register my interest for the Financial Support Scheme?
Applications for HGV funding opened on 30th November to give eligible businesses access to financial support to upgrade to no/low emission vehicles.
You can register your interest for the scheme on the Clean Air Greater Manchster website.
Am I eligible for the Financial Support Scheme?
To find out if you are eligible for financial support, please go to Clean Air Greater Manchester website.
Which businesses can Shire support?
We are able to support the following businesses which include;
- Limited Companies
- PLC’s
- Registered Charities
- Sole Traders
- Partnerships with more than three partners
- Sole Trader and partnerships with less than 3 partners where;
Hire Purchase – the balance being financed over the period of the agreement after applying the part exchange value, the Grant (where the Combined option is selected) and any additional deposit paid by you against the Vehicle Price, is > £25,000.
Finance Lease – the total of all repayments over the period of your lease including VAT is > £25,000. The repayments will be the repayments payable by you and shown on your finance documentation. These are based on the balance financed after applying the part exchange, the Grant (where the Combined option is selected) and any additional deposit paid by you against the Vehicle Price has been deducted.
Our team will be happy to discuss these options with you.
What should I do if I receive a funding award from Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme but Shire Leasing declines my funding application?
If you pass the eligibility assessment but fail our financial checks, we will let you know the reason why we are unable to proceed with your application. You can then apply to the other funders on the approved panel who may be able to support you. The funder’s details will be included on your Fund Award Notification communication.
Finance
What financial support is available under the Financial Support Scheme?
You have a choice of how you use your Fund Award to support the upgrade of your non-compliant vehicle. Your options are;
Finance Option
Use your Fund Award to offset the cost of financing your new vehicle. Depending on your new vehicle costs and your choice of lease term, this may be sufficient to provide you with an interest free financing option or may require a deposit or an additional rental contribution over the life of the agreement.
Combined Finance and Grant
This option will allow you to take 50% of your Fund Award as a Grant from Clean Air Greater Manchester and up to 50% towards the interest charges on a finance agreement. The Grant will be paid directly to the Accredited Dealership of your choice and, as with the Finance option, up to 50% will contribute towards the interest costs on a financing option. Again, depending on your new vehicle cost and choice of term this may be sufficient to provide you with an interest free option or may require a deposit or an additional rental contribution over the life of the agreement.
Please note that the Combined option is only available to Clean Air Greater Manchester and Shire Leasing Accredited Dealerships. If your preferred Dealership is not shown on our list then please discuss with us as we may be able to approve them.
Grant Only
Grants are administered by Clean Air Greater Manchester. Find out more on the Clean Air GM website.
What financial products do you offer?
Our financial products, available over terms of 2 – 5 years (6 and 7 years for coaches, HGV’s and ZEC Hackney Cabs) are;
Hire Purchase – this allows you to spread the cost of the vehicle with the option to own it at the end of the fixed period for a one off Purchase Option Fee of £150+VAT or,
Finance Lease – if you are looking for a tax-efficient solution, this product allows you to offset monthly/quarterly payments against taxable profits but where you can receive 95% of the proceeds of sale at the end of lease term.
You can find out more about financial options here.
Do you offer a Contract Hire option?
We do not offer a contract hire agreement but if this is something that you are interested in, this option may be available from the other panel of funders whose details will be included in your Fund Award Notification communication.
What lease repayment periods are available?
The maximum repayment period under the scheme is 5 years which may be extended up to 7 years for HGV’s, coaches and ZEC Hackney Cabs.
What is the value of the grants available?
The Fund Award Notification issued by Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme will confirm the level of funding based on your existing vehicle type and class.
For reference, you can see indicative value of grants by vehicle type here.
How are rental repayments made on the finance agreement?
All rental repayments are payable by direct debit mandate which will be part of the documentation that you are provided with to sign if your application is approved and you decide to proceed.
Existing vehicle (s)
Can I use the scheme to add new vehicles to my existing fleet?
No. The scheme cannot be used for adding vehicles to your fleet; only for the replacement of eligible non-compliant vehicles.
Can I use the scheme to retrofit an existing vehicle?
You should go to Clean Air Greater Manchester website to find our more about this funding option. You may be eligible for a Fund Award to retrofit or re-power existing non-compliant vehicles through a Grant. It is not possible to go with the Finance or Combined options for a retrofit.
Replacement vehicle (s)
Which vehicles are compliant?
Vehicles that are electric, low emission or conform to more recent Euro standards should emit less pollution than older vehicles. The following classes of vehicles are all compliant:
- Euro 6/VI diesel vehicles (or newer)
- Euro 4/IV petrol vehicles (or newer)
- Fully electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
- All hybrid vehicles
- Modified or retrofitted vehicles registered with the Energy Saving Trust’s Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)
Which vehicles are non-compliant?
Vehicles that do not meet emission standards are non-compliant. These are Pre Euro 6 diesel vehicles (this means Euro 1 to 5 or earlier) and Pre Euro 4 petrol vehicles (this means Euro 1 to 3 or earlier). This excludes private cars, motorbikes and mopeds.
Are there any restrictions on the choice of Dealership supplying the new vehicle?
To access our financing options the replacement vehicle must be sourced from a Dealership that has been accredited by Shire Leasing. In addition, if you opt for the Combined option, the Dealership will also need to be accredited by Clean Air Greater Manchester. If you are planning to acquire your replacement vehicle using our Finance option but your preferred Dealership is not on our list, then please let us know using the contact form below. If you plan to progress with the Combined option, the Dealership will also need to seek approval from Clean Air Greater Manchester.
A Dealership can apply to become accredited here on cleanairgm.com’s dealership page.
How do I know if my vehicle is non-compliant?
Compliant vehicles
Vehicles that are electric, low emission or conform to more recent Euro standards should emit less pollution than older vehicles. The following classes of vehicles are all compliant:
Euro 6/VI diesel vehicles (or newer)
Euro 4/IV petrol vehicles (or newer)
Fully electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
All hybrid vehicles
Modified or retrofitted vehicles registered with the Energy Saving Trust’s Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)
Non-compliant vehicles
We call vehicles that do not meet GM’s emission standards ‘non-compliant’.
The following classes of vehicles are non-compliant:
Pre Euro 6/VI diesel vehicles (this means Euro 1 to 5/IV or earlier)
Pre Euro 4/IV petrol vehicles (this means Euro 1 to 3 or earlier)
I haven’t yet sourced my new vehicle, can I make an application for finance?
Provided that you have your Fund Award Notification from Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme confirming your eligibility, you can progress with your application. Our credit decision will be conditional on you sourcing and confirming details of your vehicle. Once you have decided on the vehicle and Dealership, you should provide us with the information so that we can complete our final checks and provide approval for you to proceed.
What are the rules for the new vehicle selection?
If you are eligible and pass our credit checks, you can use the funds to reduce the cost of your vehicle upgrade. The options available to you will be outlined in your Fund Award Notification from Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme.
Any replacement vehicles must be in the same vehicle category as your existing vehicle e.g. a LGV for an LGV which must be traded in with the same Dealership and must be compliant with GM’s emissions standards.
Post-application
What happens at the end of the finance agreement?
We have two financial products available to you and the end of term treatment will be different for each. Providing that all rentals due on the agreement have been paid, your options will be;
Hire Purchase – meaning that you can spread the cost of the vehicle with the option to own it at the end of the fixed period for a one off Purchase Option Fee of £150+VAT (providing all payments have been made) or,
Finance Lease – if you are looking for a tax-efficient solution, allowing you to offset monthly payments against taxable profits (where eligible). Your end of term options will be;
- Continue to hire the agreement for an annual peppercorn rental
- Sell the vehicle on our behalf and retain 95% of the sale proceeds
Will I need to repay the Grant and/or interest on my financing agreement?
Provided that you do not breach the Applicant Terms and Conditions or financing agreement you will not be required to repay the financial support provided by Clean Air Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme.
If you do breach the terms of the Grant and/or financing award, you may be liable to repay the Grant and the interest free amount provided by Clean Air Greater Manchester in full (terms apply).
Useful links and contacts
Is there any way that I can find out more?
- For questions about your vehicle’s euro standard or compliance, contact the Central CAZ Support Service using the web form at gov.uk/cleanairzone or call 0300 029 8888.
- To find out more go to www.cleanairgm.com
- If you are considering investing in an electric vehicle, you will find useful information to support your decision-making at electrictravel.tfgm.com
Talk to one of our team
If you haven’t been able to find the answer to your question or need further support for your application, our award-winning team at Shire Leasing would be more than happy to help.
Simply complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will be in contact with you as soon as they can.
Please be aware that our working hours are Monday to Thursday 09:00 to 17:30 and Friday 09:00 to 17:00. Enquiries will only be processed within these hours.
