Islington Council Takes Bold Steps Towards an Electric Future for its Fleet

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Islington Council, in its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, has recently completed a major project to electrify its entire vehicle fleet. The installation of new electric vehicle chargers and associated equipment at the Waste and Recycling Centre marks a significant milestone in the council's journey towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Over the past three years, the council has undertaken substantial works at the centre through a £5.7 million project. This initiative, part-funded by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has empowered the council to convert its diverse fleet, ranging from small cars to hefty 26-tonne refuse collection vehicles, to electric power.

The impact of this initiative is already evident, with the introduction of 80 fully-electric battery vehicles, including cage tippers and electric minibuses. This shift has resulted in a noteworthy annual reduction of over 300 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to powering 66 homes each year. The positive environmental effects are twofold, addressing both climate change concerns and improving local air quality.

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, expressed the council's commitment to creating a more sustainable and equitable future. She highlighted the positive outcomes of the electrification efforts, emphasising the benefits of quieter, less-polluting vehicles on the borough's streets. Moreover, the move to electric vehicles contributes to enhanced air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses. Cllr Champion also noted the financial benefits, highlighting that electric vehicles are cheaper to run than their diesel counterparts, crucial at a time when council budgets are under increasing pressure.

The completion of the electrification work at the Waste and Recycling Centre is a crucial step toward the council's ambitious goal of using only electric vehicles by 2030. This commitment, if realised, is estimated to save an additional 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The project's success was made possible through collaboration and financial support. Mayor Sadiq Khan's announcement of £1.5 million funding through the Good Growth Fund was a significant boost, with Islington Council matching this amount. Further commitment from the council, totalling £2.7 million, brought the overall project cost to £5.7 million. The installation of electric vehicle charging units was entrusted to JoJu Solar, a move aligning with the broader goal of sustainable energy solutions.

London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Shirley Rodrigues, commended Islington Council for its leadership in electric vehicle charging. She emphasised the importance of reducing the fleet’s contribution to climate change and air pollution, acknowledging the project's role in building a greener city for all Londoners.

In conclusion, Islington Council's strides towards a fully electrified vehicle fleet showcase the transformative impact of sustainable initiatives. By prioritising the electrification of a diverse range of vehicles, the council sets an example for other municipalities, demonstrating that with commitment and vision, even larger and more specialised vehicles can transition to electric power, contributing to a healthier environment for all.

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