Council seeks loan to fund 102 electric vehicles, replacing older models and reducing carbon emissions by 250 tonnes yearly.
They will also sell some old vehicles that are at the end of their life. Selling them is expected to give the council £1.165 million. Council vehicles usually last eight to eleven years.
The project started in 2021, with the purchase of seven electric bin lorries and 67 electric vans. This was part of a larger purchase of 401 vehicles.
The council says this helps the environment and has significantly reduced carbon emissions. They cut 250 tonnes each year, equalling 1.1 million miles of driving. Electric vehicles also make less noise.
Electric bin lorries cost £200,000 more to buy than standard models. However, they cost £10,000 less to charge and are much quieter, at 40 decibels lower than diesel trucks.
The council aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. Andy Hadley says the next three years are crucial. He admits there are issues with electric vehicles, noting that infrastructure changes are needed.
Some staff store vehicles at home due to their frequent road work and limited need to visit the office. Supplying electricity to these homes presents a challenge.
Hadley also mentioned depot problems, stating that space and power limit electric vehicle use. Rich Herrett spoke about other changes, noting they are making adjustments wherever possible.
The seafront team utilizes light vehicles to restock supplies without needing large trucks. However, some vehicles must remain large 4x4s due to challenges related to sand and weight requirements.