Going green at the depot

Blaby District Council’s ambitious plans to ‘go green’ at its Whetstone depot continue with funding approved for electric vehicle charging.

The move follows the installation of 306 solar panels across the office, stores and workshop building earlier this year. These are already delivering energy savings, estimated at £32,890 a year, as well as a reduction of 23.11 tonnes of CO2.

Now the authority’s Full Council has agreed to invest £970,000 in delivering the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure project. Government grant funding is being applied for which could amount to a saving of £442,000 for the project for the Council.

The initiative was first agreed in 2023 along with the solar panels but required further design work, which is now complete.

The plan is to provide up to 17 chargers of differing speeds. These will support the Council’s existing EV fleet, a bin truck, mini sweeper and van, and be ready for any new electric fleet vehicles.

Currently the Council uses Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in most of its fleet – a cleaner alternative to diesel, reducing emissions by up to 90%.

However, the switch to electric has always been seen as the ultimate, most sustainable aim.

Councillor Nigel Grundy, Blaby District Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: "The use of HVO has slashed our carbon emissions but we want to go further. Introducing EV charging will support our transition to an electric fleet.

"This aligns with our strategic theme to enhance and maintain our natural and built environments. It contributes to our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 and future-proofs our depot in the light of Local Government Reform and the expected ban on the sale of new petrol or diesel vehicles."  

Councillor Nigel Grundy
Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets