A programme to replace Aberdeen City Council’s fleet with vehicles using the latest technology and reduced emissions continues, a committee heard yesterday.
The City Growth and Resources members approved the Fleet Replacement Programme which ensures the Council maintains an optimum operating age profile of the fleet to a maximum seven-year profile for HGV, five years for vans, and three years for other vehicles, mobile plant, and small hand-held plant.
A report to committee said this ongoing practice aims to minimise expensive repair costs and give an enhanced residual value of the asset on replacement.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “We are committed to the council reaching net zero and it is good to hear our fleet service is helping us along that journey.
“There has been a lot of good work which has been carried out on hydrogen or electric power as the fuel of choice for new purchases for our fleet and alternative considerations of dual fuel and diesel as the current market and infrastructure permits.
“We look forward to hearing the next update for how the journey to an even greener fleet is progressing.”
The report to committee said there is a Fleet Asset Management Plan which identifies age and replacement plans for all vehicles and plant and information from this is used to determine the Fleet Replacement Programme and its projected spend for 2022/23.
The Fleet Asset Management Plan continues to be refreshed to better identify the replacement programme and includes carbon use data to reflect the Council’s net zero ambition to work towards de-carbonising its in-house fleet and introduce new vehicles with the latest technology with reduced emissions.
The report said whilst the Fleet Asset Management Plan reflects current type of vehicles, the market availability and continuing development are such that like-for-like replacement may not be the default position should better options be identified.
The fleet service is scanning industry opportunities to identify best value and best asset replacement.
The report said to maximise development of a greener fleet, all new purchases will be focused on hydrogen/electric power as the fuel of choice with alternative considerations of dual fuel and diesel as the current market and infrastructure permits.
Existing vehicles which are not due for replacement will be considered for conversion to dual fuel, which is a vehicle that can operate on both diesel/hydrogen, or diesel/electric.
The report said the inclusion of these vehicles will increase the zero-emission fleet as the council progress on the journey away from carbon fuel. The renewable energy vehicle market is being explored to identify latest innovation and development to adapt current vehicle procurement options towards the council’s greener ambitions.
The Council is considering EV recharging facilities and capacity for future council fleet replacements with charging points strategically placed to align with council buildings to ensure that all vehicles can be recharged before starting daily operational activities.
The report said as well as working with the council’s finance service on procuring new vehicles and plant using current capital budgets, it is also actively sourcing additional external grant funding.