Lothian and Borders Police invest in electric

Lothian and Borders Police have bought an electric van as the Force pilots research into a more eco-friendly fleet.

The Ford Connect Electric has been purchased to replace an existing fleet van, which currently makes numerous runs to various locations in Edinburgh.

The zero-emission vehicle is capable of travelling 80miles on a single charge and can carry around 500kg.

Fleet management anticipate that in the van's five-year service, over seven tonnes of CO2 will be saved along with several thousand pounds in fuel costs.

Azure Dynamics, the company that built the vehicle in collaboration with Ford Motor Company, will deliver it to Force HQ on (date) where it will immediately be put into operation.

Lothian and Borders Police will also shortly be replacing a standard police patrol car at the Scottish Parliament with a Mitsubishi I-Miev as part of their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Consultation is now ongoing with the Scottish Carbon Trust to secure funding to bring in more carbon neutral vehicles in the future.

Dave Kennan, fleet manager for Lothian and Borders Police said: "As a large organisation that regularly uses a range of vehicles as part of our operational duties, it is prudent for us to research investments, which not only benefit the Force financially, but can have significant benefits for the environment.

"Both the electric van and the patrol car will be in service very shortly and will have a significant impact on our carbon emissions and our fuel expenses.

"If this pilot is successful and the vehicles prove themselves to be fully capable for policing duties, we will of course look to invest further and replace more of our fleet with carbon neutral alternatives."