As part of an effort to decarbonise their fleet of maintenance vehicles, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have received two new electric vans.

The all-electric Renault Kangoo vans, delivered at the start of autumn, will be used by the parks team and the public toilet cleaning team for inspections, cleaning, maintenance work, and deliveries across both districts.

These electric vehicles will replace petrol and diesel vans, significantly reducing the councils' carbon emissions.

Each van is estimated to have saved 475.25kg of carbon dioxide equivalent in the first two months of use.

Councillor Bethia Thomas, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, with one of the vansCouncillor Bethia Thomas, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, with one of the vans (Image: Vale of White District Council) Their arrival marks the beginning of a broader plan by the councils to fully convert the 12-strong fleet of maintenance vehicles used by the facilities, toilet cleaning, and parks teams to electric vans within the next three years.

Councillor David Rouane, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council and climate lead, said: “Our staff cover a large part of Oxfordshire, from Faringdon in the west to Thame in the east, and from Wheatley in the north down to Henley in the south.

"This results in a significant amount of mileage, which can have a considerable environmental impact.

"With the introduction of these new electric vehicles, we’re taking an important step towards reducing that impact.

"They’ll help reduce emissions and give our staff a cleaner, greener way to get around, which is great for everyone - the staff, the environment, and the community."