Leeds council to add more electric vehicles to its fleet

Leeds City Council has begun to replace more than 50 of their existing fleet with electric vehicles.

They will now have 95 EVs in total, which they claim is more than any other local authority in the country.

Due to air pollution levels in the city, the council were ordered by the Government to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAW), which is expected to come in force in January 2020 with vehicles that don’t meet modern emission standards being charged £50 per day to enter parts of the city centre.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) say they preparing for the CAZ by installing up to 88 new rapid EV charge points across West Yorkshire by 2020, approximately 30 of which will be installed in Leeds, as a result of a successful joint funding bid submitted to the Government by the WYCA.

Each point will include a plug for both taxi and public use.

Cllr James Lewis, executive member with responsibility for sustainability and the environment said: ‘All of us that live and work in Leeds share a responsibility for improving the quality of the air we breathe.

‘That’s why last month, Leeds City Council became one of 16 organisations to sign up to the national ‘Clean Van Commitment’—a commitment to collectively invest £40m in electric vans over the next two years for a more sustainable future.

‘These new vehicles demonstrate that we are honouring that commitment and, more importantly, that we are doing our bit to reduce our own contribution to air pollution and protect the health of everyone in Leeds.’

Brian Bachelor, West Way Nissan Group fleet manager said: ‘We are delighted to extend our partnership with Leeds City Council by delivering 51 new generation E-NV200s.

‘The extended range and rapid charge capability of the E-NV200 will go a long way in helping Leeds City Council’s bold commitment to providing a sustainable, cleaner future for the people of Leeds—a pledge that West Way Nissan are more than happy to support.’