The Highland Council is investing in fleet decarbonisation and recognises that acting early can help avoid higher costs in the future. The council has adopted an electric vehicle (EV)-first approach to vehicle procurement, making EVs the default option for cars and light vans wherever they are operationally suitable.

The council is also undertaking a fleet rationalisation programme, reducing the size of its fleet by approximately 20%. Vehicle tracking technology has been introduced to reduce idling, discourage harsh driving and improve overall driving efficiency. In addition, the council is developing driver training to build confidence in electric vehicles, address concerns about vehicle range and assess the suitability of EVs for different operational requirements. This EV-first approach is supported by vehicle demonstrations and the ongoing evolution of the council’s fleet.

More than one-third of Falkirk Council’s fleet vehicles are electric vehicles (EVs), including an almost fully electric pool car fleet. The council adopted an EV-first approach to procurement at an early stage to support the Scottish Government’s fleet decarbonisation ambitions. Petrol and diesel vehicles are only procured where a suitable electric alternative is not currently available.

Falkirk Council established a dedicated climate change fund, which has been used to support the procurement of electric vehicles. These investments have contributed to reductions in fuel costs across the fleet. The council initially focused on vehicles that were relatively straightforward to electrify, such as cars and small vans, but is now extending its decarbonisation efforts to larger and more challenging vehicle categories, including large vans.

Approximately 42% of Nottingham City Council’s fleet is electric, including minibuses, refuse collection vehicles and sweepers. Nottingham has established an internal ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV) service centre, known as Nottingham Electric Vehicle Services. The service maintains and repairs the council’s fleet, as well as vehicles operated by other local fleets and members of the public.

Nottingham has also established a public sector ULEV procurement framework to support other local authorities through the procurement process. This includes guidance on vehicle selection, charging infrastructure and operational capability.

Much of the funding for fleet decarbonisation has come from the council’s own resources. Nottingham has also implemented a pioneering workplace parking levy on employers that provide workplace parking, subject to certain exemptions and conditions. Revenue generated through the levy is ring-fenced to support public transport investment.

Leeds City Council aims to procure only ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) by 2030. It already operates an extensive electric vehicle (EV) fleet and has installed charging infrastructure at depot locations and employees’ homes.

Leeds has established electric vehicles as the default procurement option and has restructured its procurement approach from individual service-based purchasing to a fleet-wide strategy. Securing support from the council’s executive leadership team was a key factor in this transition, with responsibility for fleet procurement sitting within the resources directorate.

The council has invested more than £7.5 million in fleet electrification, primarily through its own budgets and resources. While Leeds has received some external funding, this has largely been used to support charge point installation. Most funding received has focused on public charging infrastructure rather than fleet or depot charging provision.