Council plugs in electric vehicles

The two Renault Kangoo vans will be used by the Cleansing and Parks Departments.

Hugh Kelly, director of Environmental Services, said: “With a view to engaging with alternative fuel vehicles, rather than the purchase of conventional diesel vehicles, this is a first for us.

“Electric vehicles are an emerging and fast moving industry concept and the council is committed to tackling issues of sustainable transport, climate change and the green economy and plans to replace small vehicles, when practicable, with electric ones.”

Although electric vehicles are more expensive to buy, a government grant allows a price reduction of 20 per cent and the cars have lower running costs when compared to petrol or diesel equivalents, according to the council.

The council is one of the members of the Ecar consortium project and it is hoped that at least five charging points for electric vehicles will be located within the borough by March 2013.