Newham have approved plans to replace the first wave of 210 council vehicles with greener models to meet their promises in their Air Quality Action Plan.
Newham have approved plans to replace the first wave of 210 council vehicles with greener models to meet their promises in their Air Quality Action Plan and move towards Climate Emergency ambitions of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon zero by 2050.
They will change from current leasing agreements at no extra cost and begin to replace their fleet with 170 new vans and 40 mini-buses that are all either fully electric (zero emission), mild hybrid or Euro 6 gas to liquid fuelled.
Approval to procure this first wave of greener vehicles was given at the Council Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, following a previous decision in October (2020) to make a £20 million investment in green fleet over the next 5 years.
The new vehicles will ensure the Council meet the legal standards required by the Ultra-Low Emission Zone due in October this year (2021).
The new vehicles will be used for transport for Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, planned & unplanned housing repairs and maintenance, and street cleansing.
Cabinet Lead for Environment, Highways and Sustainable Transport, Councillor James Asser said: “The replacement vehicles offer positive benefits to air quality in the borough, they will consume less fuel and create less pollution.
"As a council we’re committed to delivering our Air Quality Action plan to improve the health of residents and the environment of the borough, and are aiming for a fully green fleet by 2030.
“The cost of the new vehicles is in line with the current leasing arrangements and with a high number of our vehicle leases expiring this year now is the right time to begin the changes.
“We will be looking for further opportunities to invest in new greener vehicles as they become available as well as reducing vehicle use and moving to alternatives where possible.”
The new vehicles will all be fitted with monitoring systems to observe driver behaviour such as speed, braking, miles per gallon, idling and overall carbon footprint of the vehicle.
This information will be used to ensure sure council drivers are getting the best from the new vehicles.