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Barnet Council invests in low emission vehicles

Author: Brendan Steinhardt

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Improving air quality throughout the borough remains a priority for Barnet Council, with the council adding five new environmentally-friendly vehicles to its fleet.

In partnership with the E-Car Club, two electric and three hybrid vehicles have been secured as the council aims to lead by example by taking further steps to improve Barnet’s air quality.
 
The vehicles will be available for business use, enabling staff to travel across the borough to deliver council services. Residents will also be able to hire the vehicles with one available 24 hours a day and two vehicles available outside of business hours (6.30pm – 8.30am Monday to Friday and any time over the weekend).
 
This is a pilot scheme and if successful, the council will be rolling out a larger fleet of pool cars for staff as it continues to reduce the carbon footprint in time for the office move to Colindale.
 
The new vehicles were officially launched during a ceremony at Barnet House on Thursday 30 November, with the E-Car Club performing a demonstration session on how to use the vehicles and connect to the charging points.
 
Cutting the ribbon at the ceremony, Councillor Dean Cohen, Chairman of Barnet Council’s Environment Committee, said: “We are always looking for innovative ways to improve air quality across the borough and these new vehicles are a further step in the right direction. By providing an opportunity to residents to use these environmentally-friendly cars, the council is also encouraging people to be less reliant on owning their own vehicles.”
 
Chris Morris, Managing Director of E-Car Club added: “We are delighted to launch this scheme in partnership with Barnet Council. By deploying a fleet of five electric and hybrid vehicles across two key locations (Barnet House and North London Business Park) we are able to provide a smart, environmentally-friendly solution for the council’s business travel needs.”
 
“Furthermore, these vehicles are available for public use on a flexible, hourly basis at just £5.50 per hour/ £45 per day, reinforcing the council’s commitment to a clean, sustainable London borough by providing a real alternative to private car ownership for residents.”
 
Acquiring the new vehicles follows the council’s announcement earlier this year to invest £400,000 in electric vehicle charging points throughout the borough.
 
Residents interested in using the low-emission vehicles will need to sign up to E-Car.