City goes green with an emission-free fleet
Sunderland City Council is going green.
The council has ordered 10 new electric Nissan LEAF cars tocreateanemission-freefleet for business use.
The Sunderland-built cars – which will carry the council’s distinctive new city branding – will be the first visible sign of the council’s Mobility Hub project,whichaimstopromote more sustainable travel in and around the city.
Twenty e-bikes will also be made available when the local authorityrelocatestoCityHall, whichisnearingcompletionat Riverside Sunderland.
CommoninEurope,mobility hubs allow people to make use of sustainable modes of travel, often meaning they no longer need a vehicle of their own.
Thehopeisthatthehubwill eventually make pool green cars available to the public.
Cllr Claire Rowntree, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “This year, we haveseenagreatmanyreminders of the devastating impact of global warming – from the devastating fires in Greece to flooding in the US, and we all have a role to play in ensuring we tackle this climate emergency.
“We’re determined, as a local authority, to set the bar when it comes to taking action and that’s why we’re targeting carbon neutrality as an authority by 2030, and as a city by 2040.
"Initiatives like this one, which has proven to be a success elsewhere in Europe, will put us right at the cutting edge in the country in taking proactive steps to minimise our carbon footprint and we’re looking forward to testing the concept with these stunning Nissan cars that we’re very proud were made in Sunderland.
“It’safittingstarttotheMobility Hub, which we hope will beasuccessfulnewassetthat– eventually – the whole city will be able to make use of.”
The purchase of the cars coincides with the tenth anniversary of the LEAF being produced in the city and has been supported through funding from Getting Building Fund, from the Government via the North East LEP.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, dynamic city portfolio holder,
added: “The Mobility Hub will stand at the heart of our Riverside Sunderland community, theUK’sfirstlowcarbonurban quarter.
“We’re creating a unique place to live, work and play at Riverside and – through initiatives like this Mobility Hub – wewillbeabletoshowpeoplea differentwayofliving,offering themaservicethatwillsupport them to live in a greener way andsavemoneyintheprocess.”
Thecarswillbedeliveredto the council in December.
WessingtonWaydealership EvansHalshawNissanisorganising the delivery on behalf of the council.
Head of business Neil Milnthorp, head of business, said: “We are delighted to be supplying these ten electric LEAFs to Sunderland Council.
"Thisisaprogressivetransport initiative for Sunderland and we look forward to supporting further in the transition to a low carbon future, as well as assisting with any future vehicle servicing and maintenance requirements they may have.”
To stay up to date with the latest news from Riverside Sunderland, visit www.riversidesunderland.co.uk or follow @riversidesund for more updates.