The seven Nissan E-NV200 vans are the first all-electric vehicles to be introduced as part of an ongoing plan which will see the council’s fleet switched to electric, as vehicles need to be replaced.
The white vans, bearing the council logo, have now taken to the road to be used by the gas and electric service engineers who are responsible for safety checks and repairs to all appliances in around 5,000 council-owned homes.
Councillor Veronica Copeland, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
“Our gas and electric service engineers play an important role in the maintenance team, ensuring all appliances in our tenants’ homes are safe to use and that any repairs are carried out as and when needed.
“These vehicles were cheaper to buy than diesel-fuelled vans and will be around 30 per cent cheaper to run, which will save the Council money in the long term. And, as they are 100 per cent electric, they produce zero emissions, which make them more environmentally friendly too.”
For more information about council housing repairs log onto the website at http://www.darlington.gov.uk/housing/repairs/ and for information on council properties available to rent see www.darlington.gov.uk/housing/finding-a-home/applying-for-a-council-home/ or contact the Customer Contact Team on 01325 40533 or email customerengagement@darlington.gov.uk.