Calls to speed up phase-out of council’s fossil fuel vehicle fleet

CALLS have been made on Anglesey Council to speed up the process of replacing its diesel vehicles with more environmentally friendly electric models.

A report presented to full council on Tuesday last week noted that of the island’s existing fleet, only seven were electric vehicles compared to 107 running on diesel and 77 requiring LPG gas.

But despite assurances that another four electric vehicles have been ordered, the Labour group leader urged decision makers to speed up the process.

Cllr John Arwel Roberts, who successfully presented a motion last year calling on the authority to declare a climate emergency, said: “I know we’re purchasing four electric vehicles this year but is that really enough?”

In response, the council leader confirmed that the authority was currently looking at its entire fleet, suggesting that the pandemic may have long term impacts on the authority’s requirements going forward.

“We will look at how many vehicles we need as we’re not travelling anywhere near as much as we used to,” said the leader, Cllr Llinos Medi.

“We’re also talking with the government to see what’s possible in terms of funding and looking at other kinds of vehicles, including hydrogen and also public buses.

“This is a report that was looking back at vehicles we had in the old way of providing services, but looking forward I imagine the overall number of vehicles will reduce.

“We were one of the first councils to bring in electric vehicles but I agree with the comments are there are plans in place.”

The report went on to state: “New vehicle charging points have been installed at Canolfan Byron and an additional four electric vehicles have been ordered.

“A £300k grant has also been provided by WGES for the installation of charging points for the council’s fleet of electric vehicles.

“The work in respect of the electronic vehicle charging points at Llanfairpwll Park & Ride is developing nicely and the aim is to get this installed in 2022.

“Plans are also in the pipeline to install rapid electric vehicle charging points across the five towns across the island with funding being sought during the year.”