South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is going green with the purchase of 5 Citroen Berlingos which will replace old petrol and diesel vehicles. The first of a fleet of new Electric Council Vehicles was launched recently by the Mayor of SDCC, Cllr Mark Ward. Fully Electric Vehicles (EVs) provide a reduction in air pollution and carbon emissions, promoting sustainability and tackling climate change, whilst offering whole life cost saving. The EVs have benefits across the environment, financial and operational areas, and they require less maintenance. Electric vehicles also provide superior acceleration and climbing than standard petrol or diesel powered vehicles and offer drivers a quieter and smoother driving experience.
“This is our first step in the decarbonisation of our fleet”, said Mayor Ward. “Electric powered vehicles reduce the impact of the Council fleet on local air quality. Other carbon reducing projects in the pipe line for South Dublin include Tallaght’s District Heating Project, the replacement of light bulbs with LEDs in Council buildings and street lighting, and improving transport linkages which includes the development of cycle tracks. All these planned actions, and more, are listed in South Dublin’s Draft Climate Action Plan 2019 – 2024, which will be out to public consultation early in the new year.” Five dedicated charging points have been installed in a number of the Council’s offices and depots. Each vehicle can cover 170 kilometres on a full charge. The vehicles can take just 30 minutes to charge 80% of their batteries at fast charge points (DC charger) or 8h at regular charge points (AC charge).
South Dublin County currently has 12 public charge points and 5 fleet charge points, and many supermarkets within the county provide EV charge points for their customers while they shop. The 5 EVs are now operational and being used across the county. SDCC are committed to progressively adding Electric Vehicles to replace aging petrol cars and diesel vans within their fleet, sending a clear message that SDCC are serious about reducing emissions and protecting the environment. With more Electric Council Vehicles on the road, it is hoped that others will follow the council’s example and make the switch to no emission electric vehicles.
