West Lothian Council has added an electric car to its 300-car fleet in a five-year deal with Automotive Leasing, the public sector division of fleet management organisation LeasePlan.
Cairngorms National Park and Highland Council, both in Scotland, have also ordered electric cars through the fleet management firm for delivery later this summer.
West Lothian Council was able to acquire the electric car through funding from Transport Scotland, as part of a £4.2 million initiative to make sustainable transport more accessible for Scotland's public sector.
The grant provides bridging funding to cover the difference in cost between purchasing conventionally-powered and low-carbon cars.
Tom Conn, executive councillor for the environment at West Lothian Council, said: “The car will be a welcome addition to our fleet and will provide a reduction in operating costs as well as carbon savings.
“West Lothian Council is fully committed to reducing our carbon emissions and we’re delighted to have this new car available for staff members to use. It's part of our overall aim to encourage more sustainable forms of transport for work-related travel."
Steve Wallis, vehicle supply relationship executive at LeasePlan, added: “LeasePlan is always looking for new ways to enable organisations to reduce the carbon footprint associated with their fleet operations.
“We will be working closely with council drivers to hear their first-hand experiences of operating an electric car to allow us to continue to improve our service.”
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