Aberdeen City Council has lifted a top title at the annual Transport News awards presentation ceremony.
The accolade is Local Authority Fleet Operator of the Year at the Transport News Scottish Rewards presentation breakfast which was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow and attended by 600 road haulage operators.
The award recognised ACC’s commitment to sustainable fleet vehicles including reducing CO2 emissions through the deployment of road sweepers. The first sweeper was converted to dual fuel, which allows a controlled quantity of hydrogen to be burned directly in the engine in combination with diesel. Once the nine-strong fleet is all converted, it has the potential to save almost 30 tonnes of CO2, contributing to cleaner air for the city, and taking another significant step towards net zero.
In the last two years, the fleet department has been active reviewing the existing fleet including vans, refuse vehicles, other HGVs, and plant equipment for all services. This includes consideration of carbon friendly replacement to assist an improved performance and reduced internal costs as a result.
The City Council continues to grow its electric and hydrogen fleet, and, as well as small vans that are electric or hydrogen, the fleet department has introduced dual fuel HGVs, and refuse vehicles, and road sweepers over the last two years.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “This is great achievement by all the Council staff involved. They should be very proud of everything they are doing towards making Aberdeen a net zero city.
“Well done to everyone in the City Council’s fleet team for this award. It is a fantastic accolade for their hard work.”
The City Council’s fleet services have won several awards in the last few years.
ACC fleet manager John Weir said: “The support and investment of Aberdeen City Council has enabled fleet to maintain and manage a fleet of more than 600 vehicles and to consider our range of electric and hydrogen fuel vehicles as well as other innovations to help reduce our carbon footprint.
“This award is for the entire fleet team and for the people using the vehicles as their support and enthusiasm for the new technologies has helped towards us win these prestigious awards – it’s a very proud moment for everyone.”
PIC CAPTION: Fleet manager John Weir accepting the award