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Our electric fleet recognised as leading the way in policing

Our journey towards a zero-emission fleet of vehicles has been recognised as leading the way in the policing sector.

The recognition stems from the 2024 Electric Fleet Race, run by Rightcharge, which is a monthly insight into organisations who have shown real commitment to delivering a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) fleet.

We have 49 electric vehicles, which are used as neighbourhood cars, forensics vans and general-purpose vehicles, and we’ve just passed the 500,000-mile mark for the fleet as a whole.

We estimate we’ll have between 60 to 80 vehicles by the end of this financial year, including fully electric cell vans.

The Cheddar Neighbourhood Policing team with one of our hybrid motorcycles

This is all on top of our current fleet of 139 electric bikes, primarily used by our Neighbourhood Policing teams, and our two plug-in motorcycles, which are being piloted in Bridgwater and Fishponds.

Ben Mohide, Delivery Manager in Transport Services, said: “We’re continuing to make great strides towards our ambition to achieve a zero-emissions fleet as soon as possible.

“The ambition poses significant challenges, particularly around infrastructure, but we’re working with other police forces, as well as locally with electricity distribution network operators to provide the infrastructure and plans we need to achieve this.

“A dedicated project team will be coming together to look at the options around on-site generation of green energy, for example.

“It’s good to be recognised nationally and we know we have a lot of work to do, but we’re pleased with the progress we’ve made so far, especially with the introduction of more electric vehicles on the horizon.”

Our electric fleet in numbers:

    • We have 15 charger locations across the Avon and Somerset Police estate, with 44 outlets.

    • Our CID team in Bridgwater have covered more than 50,000-miles with their electric vehicles in just under two years.

    • Our Neighbourhood Policing team in Shepton Mallet and Broadbury have both exceeded 20,000 miles in two years, across two vehicles.

    • South West Forensics have managed nearly 25,000-miles in their first year with electric vehicles.