Council's Vehicle Fleet Goes Hi-Tech to Save Money and Reduce CO2

Following the introduction of a ‘Carbon Budget’ by the SNP/Labour Aberdeenshire Partnership administration in 2017, councillors were today briefed on the introduction of telematics to the council’s vehicle fleet.

As part of the SNP/Labour Aberdeenshire Partnership’s commitment to climate change mitigation, the first Carbon Budget was set for 2017/18. The new approach, approved at full council in February 2017, encourages the whole council to fundamentally consider how it is run and the resulting carbon implications. Aberdeenshire was the first local authority in Scotland to implement such a budget.

In the latest development, fleet vehicles used across Aberdeenshire Council are being installed with telematics to help save money and benefit the environment. The system is web-based, using GPS satellite positioning data and the mobile data network.

Following the successful use of such systems in other large organisations, including councils, it is also intended to promote safe and efficient driving and working practices. It can also help protect lone workers, reduce vehicle running costs and help to quickly ascertain the facts of any accident or incident.

It is hoped it may even allow the reduction of the council’s fleet in future, through the improved use of vehicles, which would also mean significant savings.

Commenting, Infrastructure Services spokesperson for the SNP/Labour Aberdeenshire Partnership Cllr David Aitchison said:

“We were proud to be the first council administration in the country to introduce a Carbon Budget. As well as aiming to be more environmentally-friendly, another major benefit is that many of the measures introduced as a result of the need to reduce emissions have the potential to save the council-taxpayer huge sums of money.

“For example, it is estimated that installing telematics in council vehicles could save between £190,000 and £275,000 each year on fuel through better fleet management resulting from the data generated by each vehicle.

“I’m delighted that the current council administration is carrying on the work the SNP/Labour Partnership started on reducing emissions and saving energy.”