Diesel van set to continue for council use

The use of a diesel van by Newtown Town Council is likely to continue well into 2022 to ensure safe distancing between workers due to the coronavirus situation.

The town council wanted to convert to electric vehicles and dispense of the diesel van. It has leased one EV van but it is not sure if it can place a tow bar on it. The diesel van and a flat bed truck each have tow bars.

Councillors will also be told next week that the council wants to maintain social distancing and there is a need for the diesel van to ensure this.

However, the council is considering replacing its flat bed truck with a new EV vehicle.

"The recommendation from the Ops Manager is to MOT and get another 6 months tax on the small diesel van taking this to June 2022 with the option to tax for another 6months if the self isolation rules have not changed," a report states to the council's Resources Committee.

The council has also declared a Climate Emergency which means it is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and emissions, meaning it wants to convert its fleet of vehicles to electric.