Rushcliffe Borough Council has introduced new electric vehicles, each reducing carbon dioxide emissions by four tonnes every year, now in operation across the Borough.
The new electric vans currently used by the Council’s facilities and Environmental Health teams, have now been rolled out moving on from the previous diesel formats as part of the authority’s Carbon Clever project and Environmental priority.
Four frontline vehicles have now made the switch to electric in the overall fleet of 60 across the Council’s functions, with more set to be introduced later this year, including to its Streetwise team’s vehicles, as the Council aims for its operations to be carbon neutral by 2030.
It follows the move last year to switch the Council’s waste bin vehicles to hydrogenated vegetable oil, as an alternative to biodiesel used by the vehicles, which reduced emission in those vehicles by 90 per cent.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “It’s very positive to see more of our vehicle fleet moving to a fully carbon clever alternative.
“We continue to implement strategies to help reduce our vehicles’ impact on the environment and these changes are an integral part of our journey to become net zero in our operations.
“We are continuing to explore further electric vehicles for the rest of our fleet and other alternatives as the technology develops. Further work is needed on charging infrastructure and suitability of electric vehicles due to the cost, range and rural nature of parts of our Borough.
“The teams are enjoying using the new vehicles and playing their part in creating a better environment across Rushcliffe.”
