Government driving down electric avenue

THE GOVERNMENT is to lead by example by buying more than 150 electric and plug-in hybrid cars for its fleets.

All fleet managers will have funding allocated with a view to buying ultra-low-emission vehicles (ULEVs) to replace older vehicles as part of the their normal working life cycle. According to Westminster sources, a long-term plan is in place to make such cars and vans entirely commonplace.

The first wave of the two-phase initiative will see more than 150 ULEVs purchased with a £5 million slice of funding, according to an announcement by Baroness Kramer.

Baroness Kramer said: “Government must lead by example. Today’s investment will see the government switching a significant number of plug-in cars and vans into our fleets and leading the electric charge.”

In both phases of the fleet update, charging points will also be installed to provide infrastructure support for the new vehicles. Cars and vans will be recommended on a like-for-like basis and the reviews will consider the whole life cost of the vehicles to ensure that each replacement makes economic sense.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said: “I am delighted the Government Car Service is leading the move to electric vehicles and I will be one of the first in line to use one.

"This is the right thing to do, with much lower running costs and close to zero emissions, these vehicles will save the taxpayer money and be much greener. We are also investing significantly in ultra-low-emission vehicles which will help ensure they play an important role in the UK economy as well as the environment.”

By Press Association reporter