Low-emission vehicles go on show at public exhibition

Leeds recently took delivery of five electric-powered Transit vans and Wakefield has ordered seven new vehicles, some of which run on electricity.

Tomorrow Leeds is being taken over by low-emission vehicles as more than 30 "green" vehicles park on Millennium Square.

The city council has organised a free low-emission vehicle exhibition, open to the public, which is supporting a free conference at The Carriageworks, as part of the Leeds City Region initiative to promote the use of low emissions vehicles. The event runs from 8.30am to 4.45pm.

The display will show vehicles run by bio methane, such as an articulated lorry and a refuse collection vehicle, right through to a hybrid double decker bus and cars, vans and scooters.

The council operates a range of low carbon vehicles including two biomethane powered refuse collection vehicles, 19 diesel-electric hybrids, with a further five electric transits that have just arrived.

Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for development and regeneration, said the conference was an opportunity to learn about the new technologies.

"There is an urgent need to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being produced, and reduce the risk of dangerous climate change and poor air quality. Transport is the most difficult sector to reduce emissions, but by introducing new technologies like the ones on display at the exhibition and conference we can really start making steps towards achieving targets."

The conference will feature a range of presentations from experts in the field, and is aimed at promoting low emission vehicle technologies and encouraging large fleet operators to switch to newer technologies.

Wakefield Council, which is showing two of its electric vehicles in the Leeds exhibition, has just been selected to participate in the Department for Transport Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme.

Wakefield has ordered seven low carbon vehicles via the programme.