Public sector leading the charge in adoption of plug-in vehicles

Public sector fleets are leading the way in the adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs), according to Automotive Leasing.

The wholly owned subsidiary of LeasePlan UK says the growth in ULEVs has been helped by the success of its GreenPlan project.

Launched ten years ago, the GreenPlan project aims to provide cost-efficient ULEV solutions to both public sector and not-for-profit fleets.

The project has grown exponentially since its launch in 2005, and has so far worked with 98 organisations to develop environmental solutions for their fleets, to encourage ULEV usage and to act as ULEV advocates.

These solutions include replacing fleets with newer, cleaner substitutes such as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles, and implementing technologies to reduce emissions.

Amongst other initiatives, the GreenPlan project has encouraged a number of organisations to decrease vehicle idling, and to monitor and manage their driver behaviour.

It has also worked closely with the Energy Savings Trust Scotland to provide educational programmes to drivers.

Since the GreenPlan launch, Automotive Leasing’s average carbon dioxide emissions on its fleet has fallen by 28%, to 128g per km. In addition, almost 10% of Automotive Leasing’s fleet has now fallen to 95g/km carbon dioxide. 

A significant part of the project has also centred on the company’s proactive work to introduce ULEVs in Scotland, which set itself the world’s most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target: to cut CO2 emissions by 42% by 2020.

Alongside working with Scottish organisations to increase the uptake of ULEV, Automotive Leasing has also worked to offset an organisation’s carbon footprint where a green solution was not possible.

For example, it has so far planted over 10,000 trees across 22 acres in the Scottish Highlands to balance out the 900,000 tonnes of emissions for Ministry of Defence’s fleet where a ULEV solution was not possible.

LeasePlan UK has also improved its own carbon footprint through the introduction of a cost off-setting allowance to encourage the adoption of lower emission vehicles amongst its internal company fleet of more than 200 cars.

Oliver Boots, brand director at Automotive Leasing, said: “We are incredibly proud of the GreenPlan project and its success so far, and are delighted to have worked with so many organisations over the past 10 years to improve their carbon footprint.

“However, we know there is still a long way to go to increase the uptake of ULEV. We are committed to leading the charge in driving down vehicle emissions to encourage a healthier society and environment today, and for future generations.

“This project is still in its infancy, and we look forward to further increasing ULEV uptake, UK-wide, for both current and prospective clients over the coming years.”