Childcare centre takes delivery of greener transport

A Rhyl childcare centre has welcomed a greener mode of transport to assist with the services provided from it.

Denbighshire County Council’s Fleet Services has handed over a new electric Toyota ProAce Verso 9 Seat Minibus to the Oak Tree Centre.

The new vehicle is part of the Council’s Fleet Service’s continuing work to transition to less reliance on fossil fuelled vehicles where appropriate to help cut down on running and maintenance costs and lower overall carbon emissions.

Following the declaration by the Council in 2019 of a climate and nature emergency, Fleet Services has been adopting zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) into its fleet. Currently, more than 20% of its vehicles are made up of ZEVs.

Staff also take part in a training package run by Fleet which includes how to utilise the EV charging infrastructure safely and efficiently, making use of regenerative braking systems, and when to select a 'driving mode' based on conditions or payloads.

The electric minibus, which provides over 200miles of driving range, will support the centre which provides the Little Acorns childcare service, Play Ranger service and also assist with the provision of family information support. The vehicle has received funding support from the Welsh Government Energy Service.

This new addition brings the number of EV’s in the Oak Tree Centre fleet to five.

Cllr James Elson, lead member for Environment and Transport said: “The minibus will help Oak Tree staff to maintain their provision of services to children and their families in Rhyl and the surrounding areas whilst providing greener mileage for the childcare centre, lowering  long-term costs for miles and regular maintenance.”