ONE in 10 East Lothian Council vehicles is now electric after latest funding of more than £175,000 from Transport Scotland.
The local authority has added 10 Renault Zoe vans to its fleet which take the total number of electric vehicles (EVs) owned by the council to 36.
The new vans will be used by property maintenance, facilities management, transport, IT and protective services teams , replacing diesal vans.
Councillor Norman Hampshire, the council’s environment spokesperson, said: “As fleet vehicles near the end of their working life, we are seeking to replace with EVs which will be a major contributor to improving air quality in the county by lowering emissions.
“The council’s Climate Change Strategy, which was adopted in 2020, clearly identifies the benefits that EVs can bring and the council has led in providing a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure across the county benefitting both residents and visitors alike.”
The local authority said funding from Transport Scotland was split with £110,000 spent on the new vehicles and the remaining £66,000 invested in EV-related infrastructure with new charge points continuing to be installed and planned across the county.
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