Glasgow City Council is set to step up its efforts for a zero emissions vehicle fleet after securing funding from Transport Scotland.

The £805,000 investment from the Switched on Fleets Fund will help the local authority convert 23 winter gritters to dual fuel hydrogen.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, welcomed the investment. She said: "To tackle carbon reduction in Glasgow effectively, it is essential the council gets its own house in order. Both transport providers and environmental campaigners are looking to the council to take a lead toward carbon neutrality for our fleet.

"Electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly and will be able to support a wide range of tasks undertaken by our vehicles. But the green technology for heavier vehicles is still emerging and so we have the opportunity to influence the market for ourselves and other major transport providers.

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"The funding award from Transport Scotland will help to ensure larger dual fuel hydrogen gritters are up and running in the early part of next year. These dual fuel vehicles should act as a significant stepping stone towards emissions-free gritters and refuse trucks as part of our wider strategy for a zero emissions fleet.

"A wide range of discussions is currently underway on we best secure green hydrogen for our vehicles and move away from traditional sources of energy. We are absolutely focused on ensuring renewable energy drives our fleet in future."

This funding comes on the back of the latest strategy which sets out proposals that all of the council's 2000 vehicles should by emissions free by the end of 2029. It is intended that only electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, across all sizes and classifications, will be used to deliver crucial city services by 2030.

The fleet, which includes everything from street sweepers and mini-buses to refuse vehicles and gritters, is currently ageing and in need of an overhaul to meet the demands of a modern, data-smart city. Most council vehicles are currently powered by diesel, and the annual fuel bill is in excess of £5m.

The overhaul and upgrade of the council's fleet is due to begin with new electric cars being introduced in early months of next year along with the tower vans used to repair the city's lighting columns. New electric road and precinct sweepers will be deployed next year also.

(CM/JG)