Denbighshire County Council is continuing the transition of its operational fleet to zero-emission vehicles with the introduction of a new electric minibus to support demand-responsive public transport services in Prestatyn.
The Council’s Fleet Service is supplying a new Ford E-Transit minibus for the Prestatyn Fflecsi service, following the end of the previous operator contract.
The vehicle joins two electric minibuses already operated by Denbighshire County Council in support of similar Fflecsi services in Ruthin and Denbigh, extending the use of electric vehicles across the authority’s passenger transport operations.
More than 20% of vehicles within the Council’s fleet are now zero-emission, reflecting a wider programme to replace end-of-life petrol and diesel vehicles with electric alternatives where operational requirements allow.
The transition has received support from Welsh and UK Government funding and forms part of the Council’s efforts to reduce fleet emissions while also targeting lower long-term mileage, fuel and maintenance costs.
The new E-Transit has been selected to meet the operational requirements of the Prestatyn service. It will provide seating for up to eight passengers and is fully accessible, including provision for wheelchair users. The Council states that the vehicle has a maximum range of up to 250 miles.
Fflecsi Prestatyn provides a demand-responsive transport service, enabling residents to make shorter journeys between residential areas and the town centre.
The addition of the vehicle also demonstrates how local authority fleet electrification can extend beyond cars and light commercial vehicles into specialist operational applications, provided vehicles are matched carefully to service requirements.
Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Our fleet service works hard where appropriate to replace fossil fuel driven vehicles with greener alternatives to help lower carbon emissions in the county and also support lower long-term running and maintenance costs.
“We are pleased to be given the opportunity to provide the vehicle ourselves for Fflecsi Prestatyn, as we do for Ruthin and Denbigh, and help support a greener more modern mode of transport for local residents to use and enjoy.”
