NHS Shetland leases 24 new electric vehicles

THE HEALTH Board is phasing in new electric vehicles (EVs) for staff usage and to decrease carbon emissions.

The previous Mazda 2 fleet is being replaced by 24 MG4 EVs, raising NHS Shetland’s total EV count to 35 cars, as well as three hybrid vehicles.

To support the new vehicles, 22 EV charging stations have been installed across the isles.

Only NHS vehicles can use the new charging points located at health centres.

The Scottish Government provided £76,000 to fund the infrastructure.

NHS Scotland aims to become a net zero health service by 2040 and all its fleet to be net zero emission vehicles by the end of 2025.

So far 75 per cent of NHS vehicles are zero emission.

Board Chair Gary Robinson said: “This is an important step for NHS Shetland and it demonstrates our commitment to tackling climate change.

“By replacing almost all our fleet with fully electric vehicles, we are significantly reducing our emissions from our vehicles.”

At present, most of Shetland’s electricity is being produced by burning diesel in the Lerwick Power Station. However, the plant will be switched to stand-by mode once the Viking wind farm becomes operational towards the end of next year.