City turns greener with fleet of electric commuter scooters

People working in Sheffield will be able to apply to use the scooters as part of the "Wheels to Work" scheme, which helps people to get to their place of work when public transport isn't available.

Two of the scooters, provided by Doncaster-based firm Govecs, have been delivered so far and, if the pilot scheme proves successful, Sheffield Community Transport may then replace its 140-strong fleet of petrol scooters with electric ones.

The scooters, which cost just under 3,000 each, are charged by being plugged into an ordinary socket and don't need to be filled up with costly fuel.

Matthew Gilder, UK director of Govecs, said: "This is fantastic news.

"It is a nice opportunity for us, as a local company, to start the ball rolling.

"What we really want to do is get the wider public involved and interested in what electric scooters can do."

The news comes as Sheffield waits to hear if its multi-million pound bid to be one of the regions to receive funding for a "Plugged-in Places" scheme is successful.

Already, there are Plugged-in Places projects running in the North East, London and Milton Keynes. The scheme involves installing charging points for electric vehicles in public places such as car parks, supermarkets, leisure centres and on the streets.

Sheffield should hear before Christmas as to whether its bid for funding has been successful.