Council leads the charge withaddition of electric vehicle

Council says adding electric vehicles to the council fleet will offer benefits

Cavan County Council is leading the charge in moving towards more sustainable energy consumption, by adding its first electric vehicle to the corporate fleet.

The addition of a new Nissan e-NV200 van is part of ongoing efforts by the local authority to reduce emissions and reduce its carbon footprint.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor Clifford Kelly, welcomed the move, saying: “Staff throughout the local authority – and in particular the Environment and Climate Action divisions – are making great strides in mitigating against and preparing for the effects of climate change, and the purchase of this new vehicle is a welcome move in that regard.”

Director of Services with responsibility for Climate Action, Paddy Connaughton, said that adding electric vehicles to the council fleet will offer myriad benefits to the local authority as well as helping the environment.

“Cavan County Council is a signatory to the Local Authority Climate Action Charter and recognises that reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate change impacts will generate environmental, social, economic, and health benefits for individuals, families, and communities in County Cavan.

“In addition to reducing harmful CO2 emissions, integrating electric vehicles into the council’s fleet will bring improvements in energy efficiency, and lower maintenance and fuel costs,” added Mr Connaughton.

Colm O’Callaghan, Climate Action Co-ordinator with Cavan County Council, said: "Cavan County Council’s Climate Adaptation Strategy, 2019-24 also encourages the development of a policy to support and develop Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure in County Cavan.

“Through leading by example by adding electric vehicles to our fleet, and improving the public charging infrastructure, Cavan County Council can help promote the uptake of electric vehicles among the public and further reduce greenhouse emissions in the county,” said Mr Callaghan.

To view Cavan County Council’s Climate Adaptation Strategy, 2019-24, visit www.cavancoco.ie/climate-change