Horsham District Council secures funding to reduce vehicle emissions and cut costs

Horsham District Council has been awarded substantial funding towards the cost of providing electric pool vehicles to help drive down carbon emissions in the district.

The funds were awarded by the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

The low emission vehicles have been leased by the council for use by staff members whose jobs involve business travel. Electric charge points for each of the three vehicles will also be provided as a result of the funding.

The council submitted a Government bid for funding in January 2015 and was notified in October 2015 that it had been successful. It is expected to take delivery of the vehicles and associated charging infrastructure in April 2016.

Commenting on the acquisition of the vehicles Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection Cllr Philip Circus said: “This is an excelllent opportunity to test the viability of leasing Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) in our fleet. The use of these vehicles reduces air pollution and very much supports the council’s commitment to being at the forefront of environmental innovations in transport.

“A fleet review also demonstrated that these vehicles would be cheaper to run than the internal combustion engine equivalents so it’s a win, win all round.”

The council is one of only 19 local authorities across the country to receive the OLEV funding as part of the Government’s Low Emission Vehicle Readiness Programme.