Electric vehicles to drive down emissions in council services

Two electric vans (pictured above) will be used by property technicians at West Suffolk Council utilizing the benefits of sustainable transport solutions in day-to-day operations.

The new vehicles are part of a wider commitment to modernise and decarbonise infrastructure while improving service delivery, by using funding from the Decarbonisation Initiatives Fund to support the renewal of the council’s fleet.

The two vans are an addition to the four electric sweepers, some non-road electric machinery and six electric vans that support officer operations throughout the district.

The resulting savings for both vehicles combined is 7.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.

Electric vehicles now make up a growing proportion of the council’s entire fleet which include machinery such as lawn mowers, RCVs and vans.

David Taylor, the cabinet member for Operations at West Suffolk Council, said: “We are excited to see how electric vehicles can support our technicians in the field.

“These new electric vehicles will help us better understand the operational needs and benefits of transitioning to a more sustainable fleet.

“There are many benefits to this new approach, such as improvements to air quality, reduced carbon emissions and a better driving experience for staff.”

And Gerald Kelly, the West Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Governance, Regulatory and Environment, added: “By investing in an electric fleet and charging infrastructure, we’re minimising our environmental footprint while embracing efficient, eco-friendly technology that aligns with our long-term sustainability goals.

“West Suffolk Council officers using the EV vans have remarked how easy they are to manoeuvre and how quickly they charge.” 

The introduction of EVs supports West Suffolk Council’s broader climate goals and reflects its commitment to sustainable growth in its essential services.