Agenda item

The Council’s vehicle fleet will require replacement starting mid-2027. Within that, there may be opportunity to acquire electric vehicles (EVs). This report reviews the financial and other implications of doing so.

The Chair of the Environment Committee is of the opinion that, by reason of special circumstances, this item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency in accordance with Appendix 5, CPR 3.7 of the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Constitution, and s.100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (7 Members voting in favour of recommendation (1)a), and 1 Member voting in favour of recommendation (1)b)):

(1)          That in the context of the issues and timings outlined in the report, the Council should:

a)    Replace all of its transport fleet vehicles with diesel-engined or, where available, hybrid-engined vehicles.

The Committee received a report reviewing the financial and other implications of acquiring electric vehicles (EVs) to replace a portion of the Council’s vehicle fleet starting mid-2027.

In accordance with Appendix 5, CPR 3.7 of the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Constitution, and section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair was of the opinion that this item required consideration at the meeting as a matter of urgency, by reason of special circumstances, as follows – she stated that, should the Environment Committee decide that a portion of the Council’s fleet should be replaced with EVs where possible, then funding would need to be identified by S&R at its July meeting, owing to the need to start the lengthy process for the acquisition of the EVs as soon as possible.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Driving Licence Considerations. The Interim Assistant Head of Service and Transport & Waste Services Manager explained that many electric vehicles are substantially heavier than their non-electric counterparts, requiring an HGV licence to be driven where their non-electric counterpart require only a car licence. It was acknowledged that many of the Council’s vehicle operators currently held car licences and would require training in order to qualify for HGV operation.

b)            Renting vs Leasing. A Member enquired as to why the Council’s vehicles are leased rather than rented. The Interim Assistant Head of Service and Transport & Waste Services Manager stated that renting vehicles is substantially more expensive than leasing and comes with significant additional complexities in respect of vehicle maintenance.

c)            Financial Considerations. It was considered that significant charging infrastructure would be required in order to successfully accommodate EVs within the Council’s fleet. It was noted that hybrid vehicles would not require the same infrastructure to support them as they would not require charging points in order to operated. The Chief Accountant explained that replacing the Council’s fleet on a like-for-like basis was factored into the setting of the budget. She stated that, should the Committee support the introduction of EVs and the necessary charging points, the funding would come from capital investment. She stated that finding the funding for the capital investment for the EVs, or for any additional costs above and beyond replacing the fleet like-for-like, would require further exploration. The Interim Assistant Head of Service and Transport & Waste Services Manager stated that, in terms of revenue costs, leasing EVs would be more expensive than non-electric vehicles, but the higher cost would be partially mitigated by the reduction in fuel expenses.

d)            Carbon Neutral 2035 Target. Members considered that, should the Committee opt in favour of replacing a portion of the Council’s fleet with hybrid engine-vehicles, as opposed to EVs, the decision would not have an adverse effect on the Councils trajectory towards reaching its carbon neutral target for the year 2035.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (7 Members voting in favour of recommendation (1)a), and 1 Member voting in favour of recommendation (1)b)):

(1)          That in the context of the issues and timings outlined in the report, the Council should:

a)    Replace all of its transport fleet vehicles with diesel-engined or, where available, hybrid-engined vehicles.