Council staff to test electric vehicle

It has been loaned a Nissan Leaf, which produces zero emissions, creates no noise and is made from recycled materials.

The electric car can be charged up by plugging it in to a power supply which gives it a range of 109 miles when fully charged.

The trial will be used to evaluate the suitability of electric vehicles to deliver council services.

Some council staff need to drive to carry out their job but this creates carbon emissions and air pollution and is becoming more expensive with rising fuel costs.

During the three day trial, staff from the community care service and the council’s mail service staff will get a chance to drive the electric car as part of their daily activities.

The council’s executive member for regeneration, economy and sustainability, Coun David Green, said yesterday: “If successful, this trial could result in reducing the council’s impact on climate change and air quality in the district.

“It could also save a significant amount of council tax-payers’ money in the long-term.”