The cabinet has signed off on phase two of its fleet replacement scheme which will see vehicles reaching their end-of-life being replaced by lower carbon alternatives.

The £20m scheme includes funding from the sale of existing vehicles, with 280 new vehicles expected over the next three years.

Phase one of the scheme began in 2021 with seven electric refuse collection lorries and introduced 67 electric vans from a total of 401 vehicles purchased across the fleet.

This has seen annual carbon emissions cut by 250 tonnes annually – the same amount produced by 1.78 million kilometres of driving.

Phase two progresses towards the council’s aim to become a carbon neutral local authority by 2030 with more than 100 electric vehicles targeted for purchase over the next three years.

Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said: ‘This marks a significant step towards our duty of becoming a carbon neutral local authority by 2030 and ensures better air quality for all residents.’

Sign up here to receive our free weekly news bulletin and quarterly e-book.