Mayor plugs in to the eco-friendly drive
Council bosses are planning to lease an eco-friendly car for the mayor and senior councillors as part of a drive to slash carbon emissions.
Sunderland City Council joined other North East authorities in declaring a ‘climate emergency’ in response to climate change concerns, including a target of the council becoming carbon-neutral by 2030.
City leaders are planning to replace one of their civic vehicles with a Volvo S90 plug-in hybrid to reduce their carbon footprint.
Hybrid cars contain both an electric motor and a standard engine which kicks in once charge is depleted.
Council bosses confirmed the car will be leased with a £6,000 per year budget in place.
Council leader, Coun Graeme Miller, said the use of council cars reflects Sunderland’s role as a “big and busy local authority” with hundreds of civic events and meetings every year.
“This is substantially more cost-effective than buying a new vehicle as the council is working towards being carbon-neutral by 2030 and is therefore looking at environmentally sustainable options for all of its vehicle fleet,” he said.
“Our targets for making Sunderland carbon neutral are 20 years ahead of the Government’s targets and the civic car is no exception.
“The car will primarily be used by the mayoral team and for the use of visiting dignitaries, businesses and stand as a reserve for when one of the other cars is in for a service for example. This Volvo S90 model was selected following consideration of appropriate alternatives and based on the type of vehicle needed for use by the Mayoral team and civic guests.”
Council cars are predominantly chauffeur-driven and available for senior councillors and officers for official business when considered the “most expedient method of transport.”
This includes civic events which take place at times and venues where there is limited public transport or parking.
Plans for the plug-in hybrid car were revealed after a written question from Conservative group leader, Robert Oliver, at a council meeting.
He said: “Sunderland Conservatives oppose the lease of a very expensive new car for the use of only a few councillors from the Labour Group at a time when vital services are being squeezed.”