DENBIGHSHIRE County Council’s Electric fleet has motored up thousands of green miles since COP26 in Glasgow.

Since the climate summit on UK soil a year ago, the Council’s current 31 electric fleet vehicles have clocked up 142,377 miles of green travel, the equivalent to almost six times around the world or even thirteen trips from Ruthin to Sydney, Australia.

Denbighshire County Council declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and committed to seeking to become a Net Carbon Zero and Ecologically Positive Council by 2030.

Part of this work is growing the number of non-fossil fuel vehicles used by the Council.

Examples of those currently in use are taxis, an electric mini bus used in the Ruthin area, a mobile observatory van and EV ATV used by countryside staff, EV vans used for goods transport by different services and EV cars supporting social services staff.

Rhyl Journal: One of the Council's eco taxis.One of the Council's eco taxis. (Image: Newsquest)

The Council has also expanded the number of fleet chargers since COP26 to 37 dedicated charging ports currently utilised exclusively by fleet vehicles, which have delivered 35,084kwh to support staff use of fleet vehicles.

During the summer two 50kwh rapid public chargers were installed at King’s Avenue car park, Prestatyn, which have already delivered 21,609kwh of charge during nearly 1,000 individual charging sessions.

That’s 64,828 miles provided to electric vehicle drivers, enough for 27 round trips from Land’s End to John O Groats and back.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are working hard to reduce the miles produced by fossil fuels in our county by Council staff and the public to tackle climate change highlighted by COP27.

MORE: Gift vouchers encouraging people to 'shop local' launch in Rhyl

“The Council is also working very hard to make sure our electric vehicle charging infrastructure is in place to help us and the public play their part in tackling climate change.

“In the months ahead we have 66 public located charging points that will come online and very soon, 36 of these will be available at West Rhyl Kinmel car park.

“We want to make sure that Denbighshire can support those who wish to transition to an electric vehicle but who may struggle with no off road parking.”