Gloucester Cathedral has purchased its first all-electric utility truck as part of a drive to reduce its carbon footprint and improve sustainability.

The Friends of Gloucester Cathedral has funded the investment in an Alke ATX200E truck from ePower Trucks. Fully battery-powered, the ATX200E is a lightweight, compact utility vehicle with a 530kg payload and can tow up to 2,000kg.

The vehicle’s batteries and electric motor provide a range of 40 miles on a single charge. Powered by renewable energy, the 900 year-old Cathedral’s new truck creates zero CO2 emissions and no air pollution from its operations.

Mark Beckett, Chapter Steward at Gloucester Cathedral said: “The ePower Trucks vehicle is a big hit with my team. It is quiet, clean and very energy efficient, plus it is also much cheaper to run than our old diesel truck.

“We are extremely grateful to the Friends of Gloucester Cathedral for their support in procuring this vehicle, which will play its part in reducing the Cathedral’s carbon footprint.”