TWO new electric vehicles are now out on the road as part of CWAC's highways fleet.

The Citroen Berlingo vans will be used by highways officers as they strive to keep the borough’s road network safe and running smoothly.

Cllr Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment, said: “We all want to live in a greener and healthier environment and introducing these two electric vehicles is a first step to achieve this aim.

"I hope they’ll also demonstrate that workable alternatives to diesel and petrol vehicles are available.

“We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations. The council’s recently published low emissions strategy gives further details about our plans to tackle air quality and the detrimental effect of vehicle emissions in the borough."

So far feedback from staff using the vehicles has been excellent and the vehicles are working well as pool vans for the highways service.

A feasibility study investigating the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points across the borough has just been completed.