Council begins process to replace 340 vehicles

The council said it would procure internal combustion engine-powered vehicles

A council has green-lit the start of a procurement process to replace 340 of its vehicles.

North Northamptonshire Council says most of its fleet is not expected to still be useable beyond September 2027.

The vehicles are used for services including bulky waste collection, housing repairs and tree works.

Councillors decided to procure internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and said relying on electric vehicles (EVs) was "too expensive".

ICE vehicles are powered by an engine that burns fuel.

Ken Harrington, a Reform UK councillor and executive member for assets, waste and environmental services, said: "We will not forget our environmental ambitions and responsibilities.

"In fact, we remain committed to reducing our carbon footprint where it's financially viable."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said there were 388 vehicles in its fleet, and that 340 would be replaced to begin with.

That figure is made up of 247 leased vehicles and 93 that are owned by the council.

Lyn Buckingham, a resident and former Labour councillor, raised concerns that using EVs had not been sufficiently explored.

"Value for money isn't just about the cheapest van, it's about the sustainability of the budget behind it," she said, speaking at the council executive meeting on Tuesday.

The authority estimated the cost of installing EV charging infrastructure across the county would cost £3.1m, whereas the cost of installing additional hydrogenated vegetable oil storage tanks was £60,000.

Harrington said: "The only credible and overall cost-effective way forward is such that we are leasing and we also use the fuel that we have in stock.

"Electric vehicles at present would prove to be too expensive."

A report will be brought to the executive detailing the findings of the first stage of the procurement process with an update on the future of the fleet.