Salford City Council reduces grey fleet mileage with EVs

Salford City Council has reduced its grey fleet mileage by using a pool of electric Co-Wheels car club vehicles, resulting in £400,000 in the first 18 months.

The council had four rapid charge points installed by Franklin Energy. These are capable of charging the vehicles from 0-80% in around 30 minutes and help keep the pool of vehicles readily available for council staff.

The vehicles have also been available to hire by members of the public in the evenings, with plans to expand the scheme through the provision of EV vehicles across Manchester available 24 hours a day.

Councillor Roger Jones, Executive support for transport at Salford City Council commented: “It is great news that there are even more green travel options in this city. The expansion of the scheme will bring benefits for residents and help to provide even more convenient, low cost and low carbon transport options. It will also mean that people do not have to own a car but still have the luxury of using one when they need to.”

Robert Byrne, Managing Director at Franklin Energy added: “ By operating an EV pool fleet, council staff members will become familiar with the concept as it increasingly considered a typical form of transport. Salford has realised major savings already highlighting what can be achieved when applying an innovative and forward-thinking approach to major areas such as transport.”