A fleet of electric cars is being leased by Swansea Council to help the local authority cut its carbon footprint and fuel costs.

Nine environmentally-friendly Peugeot iOn cars are set to replace nine vehicles from the council’s existing fleet.

They’ll be used by staff in both the Corporate Building and Property Services and Highways divisions which look after the maintenance and improvement of the council’s assets and highways.

The electric cars will reduce emissions from the fleet and aims to help Swansea Council cut its annual fuel costs by thousands of pounds.

Charging points are also being installed across the city to encourage greater use of more sustainable transport in future.

Cllr Sybil Crouch, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: “It’s important that the council sets an example in terms of being sustainable.

“The leasing of these electric cars shows our commitment to embedding environmentally-friendly initiatives as part of our day-to-day business.

“But it’s important we continue to be innovative to both save money in these challenging economic times and further cut our carbon footprint.

“This is why we’re working with our transport team to also look at possibly investing in electric vans to begin replacing its fleet.

“We’re additionally working with other local and regional organisations, including Swansea University, to explore the possible provision of universal charging points across the city.”

Martin Nicholls, Swansea Council’s head of Corporate Building and Property Services, said: “This is another step forward as part of the sustainability agenda and is aligned to the service retaining its Green Dragon level five accreditation this summer for the third year running.

“A key element of the accreditation is a commitment to look for opportunities to demonstrate  continual environmental improvement which we also hope will extend to our van stock over the coming year.”

Swansea Council is leasing the electric cars from Automotive Leasing by working with the Marshall Motor Group.

Procurement Partnership

The Procurement Partnership, in conjunction with Marshall Motor Group, is delighted that Swansea has taken delivery of their first electric vehicles.

A spokesman for Marshall corporate sales said: “We are delighted and proud to be able to supply businesses, airports and local and national councils with the iON here at Marshall Peugeot of Cambridge. The vehicle now represents fantastic value for money and helps the recipient lower their carbon footprint.”

The vehicles are being delivered on Tuesday, November 27.
 

More articles on: