The plan has identified the need to explore new ways of reducing the Council’s transport-related emissions across Wiltshire. Wiltshire Council has a target to reduce the CO2 output generated by its fleet by 11,8000 tonnes by 2016/17.
As part of the project, the Council is currently running a four month trial of in-cab driver intervention in 20 light commercial vans. According to Wiltshire Council, significant savings have already been identified by the use of this technology and once the trial has completed, a decision will be made, based on savings and performance, whether to have the software installed into the remaining 100 small/car derived vans.
The Council has also produced a twenty year vehicle replacement plan that concentrates on ensuring that vehicles are fit for purpose and are fully utilised. The procurement process is built around challenging the need for the vehicle, helping individual services looking at how they could work differently and reduce the council’s fleet size. When procuring any new vehicles the council ensures they are low carbon as well as having a speed restrictor installed in vans.
Recently Wiltshire Council has been accredited for van excellence. This accreditation demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to safer, more efficient and sustainable van operations.