One council is embracing the green fleet agenda in an initiative aimed not only at greening its own fleet, but also the fleets of local businesses.

Camden Council in north London has taken a national lead in promoting and trialling environmentally-friendly transport.

Its fleet is now made up of 70% low-carbon vehicles and its vision is to continually improve at each replacement cycle.

For example, its original 200 LPG-powered vehicles will be replaced with biomethane-powered vans, which will be refuelled at the council’s own station that uses only biomethane from renewable sources.

The council is now planning to open its refuelling station to local fleets.

It is also planning to retro-fit hybrid kits to its remaining diesel vans, while replacing others with Smiths and Ashwood vans under the Government-funded Low-Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme.

In addition, the diesel used by the council has an additive that reduces CO2 emissions by 3%.

“But we want to move away from fossil fuels altogether,” said councillor Knight, executive member for environment at Camden Council. “And we know that companies and individuals are prepared to make changes as long as the solutions are reliable and do not compromise their performance.”

As a result, the council has just added a zero-emission portable hydrogen fuel cell generator to its fleet of 320 vehicles. And next month it will add a hydrogen fuel cell bicycle to its fleet for use by council staff.

The council is also about to introduce a new procurement policy that will specify for the first time that any contractors bidding for council business must have a low-carbon fleet.

In August, the council commissioned a survey to ascertain the attitudes of local businesses and residents to alternatively-fuelled vehicles.

In response to the findings, which showed a level of ignorance about low-carbon vehicles on the market, Camden hosted a Green Motor Expo to encourage local businesses as well as local residents to adopt greener transport.

At the event, fleet managers were given free advice regarding green fleet management from TfL's Freight Operator Recognition Scheme – a free service open to any company operating commercial vehicles within London.