The new vehicles will be part of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s fleet and will replace ageing buses that are over a decade old.
The new buses will be based at Langholm, Dumfries, Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart, with the associated charging infrastructure being installed in the next couple of months.
External funding of more than £600k was secured to allow their purchase.
Meanwhile, the new tractor will assist with the maintenance of many large green spaces across Dumfries and Galloway.
Officials say it will reduce the number of ‘sit on’ machinery, so will produce efficiencies within the service in relation to resource and fuel. In addition, two ‘stand on’ mowers have been purchased, to replace pedestrianised mowers, and 17 battery strimmers have been ordered to replace their petrol equivalents.
Communities Committee chairman Cllr Archie Dryburgh said: “I’m very pleased to read that we’re beginning to move away from fuel-based vehicles and tools and are embracing the electrical technology. Not only is the cost of fuel a real issue, but we all know the environmental issues is causes.”
Meanwhile, councillors will today get an update on the region’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Officials say that over the past two years over £1 million pounds has been invested locally, largely due to external funding support.
And the Council will be increasing provision in towns across the region, including Moffat, New Galloway, Dalbeattie and more there begins to be more electric vehicles on the road.
Cllr John Campbell welcomed the move and said: “I’m really pleased that electric vehicle charging provision across the region is increasing. As a Council, we’re committed to a cleaner, greener region and these points allow travel within and out with the region using electric vehicles. It’s important we provide the infrastructure to support the move to electric.”
- Pictured above, Cllr Campbell in one of the council’s existing electric cars
