Rochdale Borough Council has added three electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet as part of environmental and cost-saving measures. The new Nissan e-NV200 vans are expected to save local tax payers more than £1,500 in fuel costs each year.
Like all local councils, the running costs of fleets is under constant review and Rochdale Borough Council has brought in the new EVs as a green replacement for conventionally-fuelled vehicles. With approximately one-third of the costs per mile versus the out-going models, it is expected that each vehicle will cost more than £500 less to fuel over the course of the year. The new vans have a range of 85-90 miles in real-world conditions.
Councillor Jacqui Beswick (pictured), Rochdale Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “These vehicles produce zero emissions, helping to create a cleaner, greener borough as well as reduce our costs. With each of the electric vehicles expected to save the council around £512 a year in fuel costs, these savings can be passed on to help protect other services.
“Furthermore because electric vehicles don’t have exhausts and don’t need oil changes, the maintenance and running costs are further reduced.”
The three vehicles are already in use across the borough. One vehicle has been assigned to waste and recycling services, while the other two are assigned to transport services.
