Electric vans to collect and help recycle old Christmas trees

Zero-emission electric vans will today (January 7) collect and help recycle Christmas trees in Brighton, Birmingham and London.

The initiative is being run by Go Ultra Low, the joint government and industry campaign to promote electric vehicles (EVs), and will see the electric vans, provided by Citroën, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Renault, take Christmas trees to the nearest recycling centre.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Go Ultra Low ambassador Ben Fogle will be taking part in the collection service in Camden, which aims to showcase the benefits of electric vehicles.

2019 was a record year for electric vehicle registrations in the UK, with 72,766 fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered. 

In September, the government committed £35m worth of investment into the UK’s rapid charge network, which combined with £35m from the private sector will result in the delivery of a further 3,000 chargers by 2024, taking the figure to over 30,000.

Ben Fogle, Go Ultra Low ambassador and Poppy Welch, head of Go Ultra Low.

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said: ‘As we begin a new decade, I want to see more electric vehicles on the roads, driving us towards a net-zero emissions future.  

‘Clean Start’s fresh approach shows how working together to make small changes will lead to big improvements for our society and the environment.’

Ben Fogle, Go Ultra Low ambassador added: ‘Using a service like this is an ideal way for people to make a small change, that collectively could add up to make a big difference. The New Year is a great time to reflect and consider making more sustainable choices.

‘I’m pleased I made the switch to electric in 2019 and would encourage others to try low emission transport in 2020.’