Stephen Whiston, Head of Strategic Planning and Performance talks to us about the addition of 26 Battery Electric Vehicles to the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership fleet.
-
1.
Stephen, what factors have encouraged Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership to introduce Electric Vehicles to your fleet?
CO2 targets 2025 and reduced fuel and maintenance costs (which have yet to be proven)
-
2.
What challenges (if any) have you faced with the introduction of these vehicles to your fleet?
Charging infrastructure on our hospital sites has been a challenge due to supply capacity being in a remote, rural and island area. Accessing information to populate bid submissions or to collate KPIs regarding CO2 emissions and cost savings has been has also been challenging.
-
3.
How did you engage with the relevant stakeholders involved in the vehicle electrification project?
We adopted a range of approaches, from preparing briefing documents and newsletters to formal reports. We received great support from National Health Service Scotland Transport department in terms of accessing necessary funding.
-
4.
Have you measured any benefits of adding the Electric Vehicles to your fleet?
We are in the process of undertaking financial analysis and capturing user feedback on the experience of driving the electric cars and vans.
-
5.
Has the vehicle electrification programme met your expectations?
Partly, there is some anxiety though as we seek to expand the fleet due to infrastructure shortages and we are only four years away from our 2025 targets on zero carbon emissions.
-
6.
What advice would you offer other organisations who are considering adding Electric Vehicles to their fleets?
Make it happen – even at a small scale, be relentless in pursuing every opportunity
-
7.
Does Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership have any further investment planned in the area of vehicle electrification?
Yes. Future plans are dependent on a combination of factors, new ring-fenced funding to facilitate the procurement of infrastructure that can support the electrification of the commercial NHS fleet and access to key telematics data to report on performance of existing fossil fuel and electric vehicle KPIs.
-
8.
Finally, are there any additional supports that governments could offer to further increase the use of Electric Vehicles?
Additional funding for electric supply infrastructure at NHS sites to increase capacity and offer charging stations for staff and private visitors use would be welcome.
