Ambitious plans that put Perth and Kinross Council vehicles on the road to a carbon-free future were approved by councillors last week. (30 April).
The Climate Change and Sustainability Committee considered the local authority's Fleet Decarbonisation Strategy.
The Council has already slashed carbon emissions by switching 18 of its refuse vehicles to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil rather than diesel - delivering an estimated annual reduction in CO2 emissions of 500 tonnes.
Now the Council is looking to build on this success by using new technologies to further reduce the emissions from its vehicles.
The Fleet Decarbonisation Strategy states a mixed model of decarbonisation will be required, with HVO and diesel used until advances in technology increase the range of electric vehicles,or enable hydrogen to be used as a viable and affordable fuel source.
Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs) based at outlying depots in Blairgowrie, Crieff, Kinross, and Pitlochry will transition to using HVO fuel by June 2025, potentially saving 725 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
The report also sets out the need to invest in additional charging points to support the transformation of the council's fleet of small vehicles - cars and vans under 3.5 tonnes - to electric vehicles.
Councillor Richard Watters, convener of Perth and Kinross Council's Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, said: "The Scottish Government has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the next five years and reaching net zero by 2045.
"Cars, vans and lorries all produce greenhouse gases, so it is vital we take steps to reduce these emissions.
"There is already fantastic work underway in Perth and Kinross with many of our bin lorries now running on HVO instead of diesel. Although this is a more expensive fuel, it is already significant reducing our CO2 emissions.
"Expanding this scheme, and remaining alert to other new technologies will help us meet our net zero targets and reduce pollution in Perth and Kinross. This is not something that will happen overnight, but it is crucial we set out a roadmap on how we reach that destination."
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