Under the council’s new procurement plans, petrol or diesel fuel vehicles will be replaced when they reach the end of their lifespan with greener alternatives wherever feasible.

Cllr Andy Moore, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Waste and Recycling, commented: ‘Our vehicle fleet accounts for 89% of the council’s emissions and this new route map to decarbonisation looks at all council vehicles, from the waste and recycling vehicles to grounds maintenance service vans and other cars used by staff, such as our environmental services and planning teams.’

The council has already purchased two new fully electric RQ-E Kerb-Sort Romaquip vehicles, which are scheduled to get to work in August.

Cllr Moore continued: ‘Trials with the new RQ-E Kerb-Sort Romaquip vehicles, which will be collecting recycling from the kerbside in the Forest of Dean from this summer, were reassuringly positive. Although the purchase cost is greater than a diesel lorry, they deliver significant savings over their lifetime and, most importantly, cut our greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air pollution and result in a healthier environment for our residents.’

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