BY DAKOTA TAIT
Newcastle council has unveiled the very first truck in its new electric fleet on Tuesday morning.
The medium rigid Hino truck will take the place of a diesel vehicle used by the Parks and Recreation team.
It's estimated to reduce the City of Newcastle's carbon emissions by 20 tonnes a year.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says it's important for the city to lead by example.
"This is a really important step, in terms of the real action that the city is taking to address climate change," Cr Clausen said.
"We're seeing more and more Novocastrians move to electric with their own passenger vehicles."
The move is part of a push to reduce carbon emissions from council vehicles by 100 percent over the next ten years.
Cr Clausen says sustainability is key to future-proofing Newcastle.
"Making available new electric trucks means that we're creating jobs, particularly locally," Cr Clausen said.
"In terms of the skills that are used to service electric vehicles and helping make it that much easier for other organisations, and for the general public, to adopt electric as well."
"This is a really significant win for the city."
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| Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen and the Parks and Recreation team. |
