19 Aug 2008 05:08:35
Electric cars join fleet and racing team
Both a housing association and a team of student racers are to use electric vehicles.
Middlesbrough landlord Erimus Housing has added an electric Smart Car to its fleet while students of Stockton's Grangefield built and designed their own vehicle.
The housing association's new vehicle, dubbed Preston - Promoting Real Environmental Solutions Throughout our Neighbourhoods has no carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide emissions.
Instead of loading up with fossil fuel at the garage it just needs to be plugged in to a UK mains three-pin socket.
It will be used for journeys by staff members and partner Tees Valley Housing.
The organisation has also fitted carbon reduction and fuel efficiency measures in its fleet of vans.
Mike Carr, chairman of the Erimus Housing board, told Gazette Live: "As a responsible business, we are committed to the green agenda and the vehicles are just one part of our strategy to use less of scarce resources."
Road transport contributed 22 per cent of all carbon emissions in 2006 according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Department for Transport has claimed that the transport sector has the largest scope for reducing emissions.
