An electric van is currently being tried out by Hackney Council, as part of a pilot scheme to test the benefits of ‘greener’ vehicles.

Over a 10-day period the Allied ZEV Peugeot Expert is being used by different departments, including waste, parking, hygiene and library services. The van is ideally suited to multi-drop local journeys that Council services require. It can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge, usually costing just £2.80. Other benefits include ‘regenerative braking’ that can reduce brake use and return energy to the battery, congestion charge exemption and annual MOT exemption.

Cllr Sophie Linden, the Council s Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Sustainability said: “We’re working towards making Hackney the greenest borough in London – it’s early days yet, but this trial is a start towards ‘greening’ the fleet and further reducing our carbon footprint.”