Newham to convert council vehicles to green alternatives

Newham Council has announced plans to convert its fleet to green vehicles as part of a new £20m investment over the next five years. 

The council has approved the plans in order to meet the promises outlined in their Air Quality Action Plan.

In the first wave, the council will replace 210 existing vehicles with 170 new vans and 40 mini-buses that are either fully electric, mild hybrid or Euro gas to liquid-fuelled.

These new vehicles will ensure that the council meets the legal standards required by the Ultra-Low Emission Zone which is due to be in operation by October this year (2021).

The vehicles will be used for transport for special educational needs and disabilities, planned & unplanned housing repairs and maintenance, and street cleansing.

The new vehicles will also be fitted with monitoring systems to observe driver behaviour such as speed, braking, miles per gallon, idling and overall carbon footprint of the vehicle.

Cabinet lead for environment, highways and sustainable transport, Cllr 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.’

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