Staffordshire University is beating the prices at the pumps with a pair of electric vans.
The two vans, which will be patrolling the university’s Stafford campus, are powered purely through an electric battery and can be charged by plugging into a normal 240-volt wall socket.
They replace two ageing diesel vans, which covered approximately 12,000 miles and emitted 3.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.
The electric vans, which have a top speed of 30mph, produce no emissions themselves but get their electricity from power stations - which usually burn fossil fuels to make it. However, the university says it is doing its bit for the environment by complimenting its electricity supply with a six per cent renewable energy contract.
This means a share of its power comes from sources such as wind turbines.
The vans’ lack of an exhaust pipe will also contribute to improving air quality around the campus.
University bosses say they are taking other “affirmative steps” to reduce the institution’s carbon footprint.
On June 13, Staffordshire participated in the Staffordshire Local Agreement Programme on climate change.
Financial director Neil Scott signed the Staffordshire declaration, committing the university to a carbon reduction programme.
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