Dundee City Council has announced major plans for £3.3m of investment to address climate change across Tayside.
The proposals include a programme of energy conservation measures, installation of additional EV chargers and the purchase of new electric vehicles and plant.
Council bosses hope future energy costs will be cut along with greenhouse gas emissions as a result.
They claim the measures will contribute to the council’s drive to reduce its carbon emissions after declaring a climate emergency in 2019.
Mark Flynn convener of the city development committee said: “While there is clearly a cost to installing the energy conservation measures it is offset by the savings we are making in energy use, and as the price of gas and electricity rises, our saving will therefore be greater.
“But just as importantly, the use of these Energy Performance Contracts and the expansion of the charging network and our use of electric powered vehicles and plant is helping to deliver our commitment as a council to cutting our greenhouse emissions.”
The latest phase of the proposal will see schools, community centres and offices assessed for the introduction of measures such as building energy control optimisation, LED lighting upgrades, solar roof panels and modifications to heating and ventilation and cooling systems.
Contracts to replace chargers at Marchbanks workshop and fit solar panels on the roof; install a second phase of chargers and solar power provision at Clepington Road depot; as well as creating a fourth public charging hub at Clepington Road along with solar power provision and additional electric commercial vehicle charger provision at Greenmarket are also in the pipeline.
Recent developments at the existing charging hub at Princes Street include the installation of a hydrogen powered WC and food vending machine unit.
Meanwhile it is hoped that seven electric chainsaws along with 18 electric vans and one utility vehicle - valued at a total of £635,000 - will also be added to the council’s fleet.
The news comes as it emerged that Dundee’s plans for a low emissions zone are still on track, with an eight-week public consultation showing locals and businesses are largely in favour of the new scheme.
If the preferred plan gets the green light, older vehicles will not be allowed into the city centre.
Diesel cars and vans registered before 2015, which generally do not meet Euro 6 standards, will be barred, while petrol vehicles older than 2006 will also be banned.
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