Updating fleet moves towards net zero carbon
A new fleet of maintenance vehicles will be electrically powered to help an authority move towards its net zero carbon emissions target by 2030.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is proposing to replace its current ‘StreetScene’ fleet of pick-up trucks and vehicles with an electric fleet as the current ones are ageing and need to be replaced before maintenance costs start to rise.
The current fleet, used for street cleaning, clearing fly tipping and other borough maintenance, were bought by the council in 2016 when there were no electronically powered pickups available at an economic price.
With positive alternatives now available, the borough council is investing £420,000 in six replacement EV pickups to decarbonise its operations.
David Hutchison, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's Cabinet member for Sustainable Environment, said:
As a borough council, we are determined to meet our net zero target by 2030.
With our current StreetScene fleet coming to the end of its usefulness, this is a perfect opportunity for us to make progress in achieving this goal by replacing them with electric vehicles.”
Earlier this month, cabinet members approved a proposal for Newcastle Borough Council to take on the cutting of road verges in urban areas within its boundaries.
The move came after residents lobbied that they wanted verges cut more often than at present with Staffordshire County Council.
The borough council is now set to take over the contract this spring, which means grass in areas with 40mph speed limits will go from being cut at least six times a year to eight.
NBC’s current fleet of ride-on mowers is scheduled to be replaced in the next 12 months. However, the borough council will need to buy two additional ride-on mowers to fulfil the new grass cutting contract.
A total of £162,000 will be invested in the replacement mowers. This will be supported by the agreed service fee paid by Staffordshire County Council.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, added:
Residents asked for verges to be cut more often and we listened. We are taking over grass-cutting operations and investing in new mowers to get the job done to a high quality.
With Newcastle being the current Britain in Bloom overall champion, the borough council is determined to make sure we keep the town neat and tidy.”