PLANS to introduce greener council vehicles in York to help cut pollution have been boosted.

City of York Council has successfully bid to become one of only three local authorities in the country to take part in the Energy Saving Trust’s Plugged-In Fleets scheme, which offers guidance on how electric vehicles can save money and reduce harmful emissions and where they can be used most effectively.

Experts from the Trust and EDF Energy, a partner in the initiative, will analyse the council’s fleet to see how introducing the vehicles can work.

Coun Dave Merrett, cabinet member for transport issues, said: “We are determined to address the traffic-related air quality problems we have in York, and this award is very welcome. We need to move as quickly as possible to introduce different, less-polluting vehicle technologies and this will help us create some of the necessary support infrastructure.”

The scheme is funded by Transport for London and the Department for Transport and also offers advice on recharging vehicles.