Picture caption: Bob Sweetland, SFS; Cllr Andrew Sully; and Cllr Dixie Darch

A new fleet of vans, featuring the latest electric and next generation diesel vehicles, has arrived at Somerset West and Taunton (SWT) this month as part of the council’s plans to decarbonise its fleet and transition to sustainable vehicle technology.

The vehicles, which will replace some of the council’s current fleet due for replacement this year, have been provided by Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS) as part of a 7-year contract awarded in 2021.

SWT's Executive Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Andrew Sully, said: “We are focused on actions to meet our climate emergency declaration and the decarbonisation of our corporate fleet reflects this. Where possible we have selected an electric vehicle solution and for operations where this isn’t possible yet, we have opted for the latest generation of lower emission diesel technology.”

The new fleet comprises: 3 x Vauxhall eCombo’s; 1 x Skoda Karoq 4x4; 3 x Ford Rangers; 6 x Ford Transit Tippers; 2 x Kubota F391’s with Trimax Flails (Vincent Tractors); 4 x Vauxhall eCorsa’s and 1 x Isuzu N75 Arborist Tipper.

SWT adopted the Somerset Climate Emergency Strategy and approved its own Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience (CNCR) Action Plan in October 2020. In partnership with the 4 other Somerset Councils, it also has an Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy outlining the roll out of charging points across the county.

Northampton-based fleet management company SFS celebrates its 30-year anniversary this year and provides the complete range of vehicle hire and fleet management services to both the public and private sector, including contract hire, short term vehicle hire through its vehicle rental division CTS Hire, vehicle maintenance, workshop management, technical advice, and consultancy. It also runs its own network of workshops across the UK and a nationwide fleet of mobile engineers.

Bob Sweetland, Managing Director, SFS: “We are pleased to be working with Somerset West & Taunton Council to help achieve its carbon reduction targets. This is the just the first step in creating a more sustainable fleet for the future and we look forward to continuing working together to enhance the new combined council’s vehicle provision.”

For more information about Specialist Fleet Services tel: 01604 234601; email [email protected]; visit www.sfs.co.uk

ENDS