Electric Roller Funding: ECB Funding for an Electric Auto-Roller
- Frank Leigh
- Aug 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Looking for electric roller funding for your cricket club?
The ECB's Tackling Climate Change Fund could help eligible cricket clubs in England and Wales invest in an electric roller, including an Electric Auto-Roller.
If your cricket club is considering replacing its existing roller, there is now another question worth asking:
Is there funding available for an electric cricket roller?
The answer is yes. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched its Tackling Climate Change Fund, which provides financial support for eligible projects that help cricket clubs tackle climate change.
Importantly, electric rollers are specifically included as an eligible project.
For an eligible cricket club, the fund can provide a grant of up to 25% of the cost of an electric roller, subject to the ECB's eligibility requirements and application process.
That makes the fund particularly relevant to clubs considering a new Electric Auto-Roller.
What is electric roller funding?
Electric roller funding is financial support that can help an eligible cricket club purchase an electric roller for maintaining its cricket square.
The ECB's Tackling Climate Change Fund is designed to support practical projects that help cricket clubs respond to the effects of climate change.
An electric roller can also form part of an eligible application to the ECB's Tackling Climate Change Fund.
How much funding is available for an electric roller?
The ECB's current guidance states that eligible clubs can apply for funding between £1,000 and £15,000.
For electric mowers and rollers, the maximum grant is 25% of the cost, subject to the scheme's criteria.
The actual funding available to your club will depend on the eligibility criteria, project costs and the outcome of the application.
Always check the latest ECB guidance before making financial commitments or submitting an application.
Who can apply for ECB electric roller funding?
The Tackling Climate Change Fund is available to ECB-affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales, subject to the fund's eligibility requirements.
If your club is considering an Electric Auto-Roller, the first step should therefore be to check whether your club and proposed project meet the current ECB criteria.
The ECB provides guidance and a Tackling Climate Change Toolkit to help clubs understand the scheme and prepare their applications.
What is an Electric Auto-Roller?
The Electric Auto-Roller is an electric cricket roller designed for clubs looking for an alternative to a traditional diesel-powered roller.
A cricket roller is an important piece of grounds equipment. It needs to provide the performance required to prepare and maintain the cricket square, while also being practical for the grounds team to operate and maintain.
The Electric Auto-Roller has been developed with the changing requirements of modern cricket clubs in mind.
For clubs already considering replacing their roller, it provides an opportunity to look at an electric alternative as part of that investment.
Why should a cricket club consider an electric roller?
Electric roller funding is one reason to investigate the option.
It shouldn't be the only reason.
When replacing an important piece of grounds equipment, clubs should consider the machine's suitability, running costs, maintenance requirements, environmental impact and expected working life.
Reduced reliance on fossil fuels
An electric roller gives cricket clubs an opportunity to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels when preparing their cricket square.
For clubs looking at practical ways to reduce their environmental impact, changing how grounds machinery is powered can form part of a wider sustainability strategy.
Quieter operation
Noise can be an important consideration for cricket clubs.
Many cricket grounds are located close to residential areas, schools or other community facilities. Grounds teams may also need to prepare the square early in the morning.
An electric roller offers a quieter alternative to a conventional diesel-powered roller.
A long-term investment
A cricket roller isn't normally a short-term purchase.
A club could expect its roller to remain an important part of its grounds operation for many years.
That means it's worth asking what your club will need from its machinery in five or ten years' time - not simply what it needs today.
If your club is already planning to replace an ageing roller, this could be an opportunity to consider whether electric is the right direction for the future.
Is an electric roller more expensive?
This is one of the most common questions clubs have when considering electric machinery.
The purchase price is important, but it isn't the only cost to consider.
Clubs should look at the total cost of ownership, including energy, maintenance, servicing and other operating costs over the expected life of the machine.
The availability of electric roller funding also changes the initial investment calculation for eligible clubs.
If an eligible club can receive up to 25% towards the cost of an electric roller, the net investment required from the club could be significantly lower.
That is why it makes sense to consider the funded cost and whole-life cost, rather than simply comparing the headline purchase price with a conventional diesel roller.
How do you apply for electric roller funding?
If your club is interested in funding for an Electric Auto-Roller, the process starts with the ECB.
Step 1: Check your club's eligibility
Confirm that your cricket club meets the current eligibility requirements for the Tackling Climate Change Fund.
Step 2: Identify your project
If you're planning to replace an existing roller, establish why an electric roller is appropriate for your club and how it supports your climate change objectives.
Step 3: Consider the Electric Auto-Roller
Look at the specification and requirements of the Electric Auto-Roller and make sure it is suitable for your cricket square and grounds operation.
Step 4: Obtain a quotation
An accurate quotation will allow your committee to understand the total investment and the potential funding contribution.
Step 5: Submit your application
Follow the ECB's current application process and guidance.
Funding is subject to the ECB's eligibility criteria, available budget and application requirements.
What if our current roller still works?
If your existing roller is reliable and meets your club's needs, there may be no reason to replace it immediately.
But if your roller is approaching the end of its working life, maintenance costs are increasing, or your club is already budgeting for a replacement, the situation is different.
Rather than simply asking:
"How much will a new roller cost?"
ask:
"What will the cost be if we choose an electric roller and qualify for electric roller funding?"
That is the calculation worth making.
Is now the right time to consider an Electric Auto-Roller?
For clubs already planning to replace their roller, it certainly makes sense to investigate the option.
The ECB has identified electric rollers as an eligible project under its Tackling Climate Change Fund, and that gives eligible cricket clubs another potential route towards upgrading their grounds machinery.
The Electric Auto-Roller provides an electric alternative for clubs looking to make that change.
It isn't about replacing your roller simply because electric technology exists.
It's about asking whether an electric roller makes sense for your club - and whether available funding can help make the investment more achievable.
Electric roller funding: the key facts
Question | Answer |
Is there funding for electric cricket rollers? | Yes. Electric rollers are included as an eligible project under the ECB Tackling Climate Change Fund. |
Who is the funding for? | Eligible ECB-affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales. |
How much can clubs apply for? | Applications can typically be made between £1,000 and £15,000, subject to the scheme's requirements. |
How much funding is available for an electric roller? | Up to 25% of the cost for an eligible electric roller. |
What electric roller can a club consider? | The Electric Auto-Roller is an electric cricket roller designed for clubs considering an alternative to traditional diesel-powered rollers. |
Where can clubs find the latest information? | On the ECB's Tackling Climate Change Fund webpage. |
The Electric Auto-Roller and the future of cricket grounds
The way cricket clubs operate is changing.
Clubs are looking at energy use, water management, climate resilience and the environmental impact of their grounds equipment.
At the same time, clubs still need practical machinery that allows their grounds teams to prepare the square properly.
The Electric Auto-Roller sits within that changing landscape.
And with electric roller funding available through the ECB's Tackling Climate Change Fund, eligible clubs now have another reason to investigate whether moving to electric could work for them.
If your club is already thinking about replacing its roller, don't just look at what is available today.
Look at what will make sense for your club over the next five, ten or even fifteen years.
Then ask:
Could electric roller funding help us get there?
Find out more about electric roller funding
If you're an ECB-affiliated cricket club considering a new roller, contact the Auto-Roller team to discuss the Electric Auto-Roller and your club's requirements.
For the latest information about eligibility, grant levels, application dates and the Tackling Climate Change Fund, always refer to the ECB's official guidance.
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