Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is starting a trial of electric heavy goods vehicles for the next year.
20 new vehicles have been funded by the Department of Transport, with four going to Leeds Teaching. The electric vehicles will be used to deliver patient meals, pharmaceutical items and general supplies across its five hospitals.
It is hoped that the data collected from the trial will inform future fleet buying decisions and increase the number of electric commercial transport vehicles.
The trust has set a target to be net zero by 2040, and by increasing the number of electric vehicles, it hopes will reduce emissions across its sites and save on fuel costs.
Chris Ayres, Associate Director of Facilities Operations, said: “We are thrilled to be increasing the number of electric vehicles across our fleet and to be taking part in the HGV trial. Moving away from high level emission vehicles will help us meet our carbon emission targets, reduce costs and improve the air quality around our hospital sites and Leeds, which will benefit our patients, staff and the local community.”
