A COUNCIL has become the first in Wales to upgrade their grass cutting fleet with electric mowers.

Conwy County Borough Council has two new Green Mowers run entirely on electricity, which the local authority sources from 100 per cent renewable energy sources. They produce zero emissions, which has health benefits for the operator and the community, as well as saving money.

The mowers are fully charged in six hours and can run for more than seven hours a day.

Financial savings come from fuel costs and reduced maintenance bills – unlike traditional diesel machines, the mowers don’t use pullies or chains.

Cllr Greg Robbins, cabinet member for environment and transportation, said: "There are so many benefits to these new mowers.

“They are environmentally friendly with zero carbon emissions.

"Not only are they better for the environment, they are also better for the operator and for local residents.

"There’s no exhaust fumes and they are so much quieter than diesel mowers, reducing noise pollution too.”

The Green Mowers now make up 25 per cent of the council’s ride-on mower fleet and after a successful trial, a further two machines are on order.

The council intends to replace all its old diesel-powered mowers with more environmentally friendly machines in the future.