City Services chief outlines greener transport plan (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

City Services chief outlines greener transport plan

September 14, 2006 3:07 PM

At today's Full Council meeting, Councillor Steve Smith, Executive Board member for City Services outlined one of the ways the council is making its transport fleet cleaner and greener. Far exceeding EC targets, the council now has all of its diesel fleet using environmentally friendly bio-diesel.

Councillor Steve Smith (Lib Dem, Rothwell) said, "We have put a number of major projects in place to manage the environmental impact of the council's fleet operations. These centre on modifications to engines made in vehicle purchase and also to the council's fuel strategy."

Councillor Steve Smith added, "By using bio-diesel we are helping to reduce overall carbon dioxide levels, carbon monoxide and other green house gases. The fact that our entire diesel fleet is using bio-diesel, illustrates our commitment to making Leeds cleaner and greener."

Notes:

1. Fuel Strategy

The EC has now a proposed bio-diesel target of 2% of road transport fuel in 2005, rising to 5.75% by 2010.

All LCC diesel fleet vehicles are using bio-fuel.

During preparation of the new diesel tender, which is due to take effect in July 2007 Environmental City have been given the opportunity to work with fleet services, focussing mainly on the renewable products involved and their sustainability in the Bio-fuel process.

In addition Driver Handbooks and driver training also focuses on advice to minimise fuel consumption while driving

2. The City Services department has a number of major initiatives in place to manage the environmental impact of the Council's fleet operations.

· Modifications to HGV vehicles to reduce impact of emissions

Particulate Traps

The (CRT) particulate traps reduce gaseous and carcinogenic pollutants by more than 90%, diesel odour and black smoke is virtually eliminated.

· Euro 4 Standards for reducing emissions

In October 2006 the European Directive means that all commercial vehicles registered after this date have to meet the new EURO 4 diesel exhaust emission levels.

Leeds City Council already have vehicles on order (both HGV's and Welfare buses) which will have EURO 4 specification engines (an additional tank to hold Adblue solution, a chemical used in emission reduction process.) Fuel sites are being redeveloped to supply Adblue.

· Other Initiatives

Leeds City Council also promote the use of 'Green Vehicles' where possible and are currently Investigating the use of an all electric delivery truck manufactured by MODEC for the Museums department.