Council expands electric vehicle fleet

The council, who already added two zero-emission fully electric recycling trucks back in August 2024, have now boosted its EV fleet further with three new electric vehicles to replace its out-dated diesel vans with all-renewable energy alternatives. 

The new vans form part of the district’s plans to meet carbon reduction goals by the end of the decade, which includes the decarbonisation of its existing fleet to help significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the services it currently provides. 

Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Cllr Chris McFarling said:   

“I am encouraged by the addition of these vehicles to our growing electric fleet, which we have acquired with the help of Ubico, one of our partnership organisations.  

“It is clear that advancements in green vehicle technology are accelerating, and our reliance on fossil-fuel-powered vehicles will diminish as EV battery range, charging point speed and frequency improves.  

“As transport makes up a large part of the council’s own carbon emissions, our strategy to move more of our fleet over to zero and ultra-low-emission alternatives will help reduce the carbon footprint of the services we provide and ultimately help to minimise our contribution to global warming as much as we can." 

Several of the new vans are already being used by street wardens across the Forest of Dean to carry out their daily duties, including investigating environmental crime, deterring anti-social behaviour, and carrying out animal welfare checks and dog warden responsibilities.