Leeds City Council has implemented the first of a fleet of 42 new electric vehicles.

Terry Pycroft, head of fleet services at Leeds City Council, with Cllr Lucinda Yeadon

The electric cars and vans will be used to add to, and in some cases replace, electric and hybrid vehicles in the council’s fleet.

It’s estimated that the vehicles will travel a combined total of around 450,000 miles a year offering fuel savings of £24,600.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member for environment and sustainability, said: “A very famous frog once sang that it wasn’t easy being green. In Leeds we want to show that it is.

“Clearly we need vehicles to deliver many council services but we can do so in a way that is more sustainable.

“Making the switch to electric vehicles means we can cut emissions from our business as usual operations and make not insignificant financial savings too.

“Having taken a van out for a spin, I can clearly see the benefits and I hope others will too.”

As well as the new additions to the fleet, the council is offering Leeds ultra-low emission vehicle drivers a free parking permit.

More parking for electric vehicles is being allocated in council car parks and through planning conditions the council is ensuring new developments have suitable charging points.

As well as greening its own fleet, the council is continuing to encourage people to use sustainable transport and working to help remove barriers for the transport industry to make positive changes too.

To watch Councillor Yeadon taking the council’s latest plug-in van on its inaugural journey, click here.