East Riding of Yorkshire Council has taken delivery of its first electric-powered vehicles.
The four zero-emission Renault Kangoo vans have just been rolled out and are helping staff take much greener journeys as they go about their daily duties.
The electric vans have replaced four similar diesel-powered vans and will be put through their paces to see if more council vehicles can follow in their tyre tracks and be replaced by electric versions in the near future.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has invested almost £13,000 in leasing the vans for the next two years – but they are predicted to save the council around £20,000 in diesel fuel and maintenance costs over that time.
New electric charging points have been installed at the council’s Beverley Depot, with other depots soon following suit.
Councillor Gary McMaster, the council’s portfolio holder for enhancing communities, said: “These electric vans are very much a concerted effort by the council to become more environmentally friendly, reduce our carbon footprint and bring our fleet right up to date.
“They have proved extremely popular with our council staff so far, so I’ve no doubt they will put these vehicles to the test and prove that more electric vehicles are the way forward for this council.”
One of the new vans will be used by staff in the council’s street lighting team mainly for their regular night-time inspections of street lights – with a big benefit being the ultra-quiet vehicles won’t disturb residents late at night.
Another will be used to deliver important supplies to council buildings and schools across the East Riding, the third by the council’s Print and Design division, and the fourth by its vehicle maintenance unit.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has more than 600 vehicles in its fleet, everything from bin lorries and road sweepers to school minibuses.
