West Suffolk Council unveils new electric fleet and charging infrastructure in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill

A Suffolk council has unveiled a new fleet of electric vans and installed electric vehicle (EV) chargers as part of its mission to cut carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation.

West Suffolk Council’s new line-up includes six electric vans to support officer operations across the district, along with four electric sweepers and additional non-road mobile machinery.

Electric vehicles now make up six per cent of the council's entire fleet which includes machinery such as lawn mowers, RCVs and vans.

Cllr Gerald Kelly, cabinet member for governance, regulatory and environment at West Suffolk Council, said: “Transitioning to electric vehicles is a crucial step in our journey towards a more sustainable future.

“With the electric fleet and chargers, we are not only reducing our environmental impact, but also adopting efficient and eco-friendly technology to support our long-term environmental targets.”

The new 7kW chargers have been installed at the West Suffolk Operational Hub in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill Depot which are for overnight use or longer stops.

There is also one 50kW duel socket rapid charger at each depot for faster charging between site visits.

The chargers were funded by the West Suffolk Decarbonisation Initiative Fund and OZEV Workplace Charging scheme.

Cllr Dave Taylor, cabinet member for operations at West Suffolk Council, said: “Adopting the electric vans and sweepers have allowed us to enhance air quality in pedestrianised areas and towns by reducing tailpipe emissions and noise pollution, whilst also decreasing fuel and maintenance costs.

“Energy supplied to the chargers and our building estate is from West Suffolk Council’s own solar farm at Toggam and the solar installations at our depot sites.

“This shift not only supports our sustainability goals but assists our progress to be net zero by 2030.”

Luke, a EV sweeper operative for West Suffolk Council, added: “The new EV sweeper is easy to manoeuvre, quick to charge and great for the environment.

“Compliments from the public come in daily about the effective and efficient way the machine works.”