Automotive Leasing has delivered nine electric vehicles to Swansea Council this week to help the local authority cut its carbon footprint and fuel costs.
 
The Peugeot iOn cars are replacing nine vehicles from the council’s existing fleet. The vehicles will be used by staff in both the Corporate Building and Property Services and Highways Departments who look after the maintenance and improvement of the council’s assets and highways.
 
The electric cars will reduce emissions from the departments’ fleets by 1.4% and help Swansea Council cut its annual fuel costs by thousands of pounds. 
 
Consideration is also being given to installing charging points across the city for use by public bodies and private individuals to encourage greater use of more sustainable transport in future.
 
Cllr Sybil Crouch, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for Sustainability, said: “It’s important that the council sets an example in terms of being sustainable. The leasing of these electric cars shows our commitment to embedding environmentally-friendly initiatives as part of our day-to-day business.
 
“But it’s important we continue to be innovative to both save money in these challenging economic times and further cut our carbon footprint. This is why we’re working with our transport team to look at possibly investing in electric vans to begin replacing its fleet. We’re also working with other local and regional organisations, including Swansea University, to explore the possible provision of universal charging points across the city.”

Tim Meadows, brand director, Automotive Leasing, said: “Automotive Leasing shares Swansea Council’s commitment to more sustainable transport options. Electric vehicles are an ideal option for to help cut carbon and costs whilst still giving Council staff the flexibility to travel around the city. These vehicles are part of a broader initiative to promote greener travel in the Council and we are working together on further options to ‘green’ their fleet.”
 
Swansea Council is leasing the electric cars from Automotive Leasing by working with the Marshall Motor Group.