Electric vehicle charging points are to be installed at fire stations as part of a drive to make them carbon neutral by 2050.
Charging points will be installed at sites including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s Eastleigh headquarters and some fire stations by 2023.
The move will pave the way for vehicles such as estate cars and general purpose vans to be electrified, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
All 61 of the service’s fire stations, and the headquarters, will also be surveyed to identify environmentally friendly improvements that can be made, such as insulation and heating upgrades.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority approved the Carbon Reduction Pathway and the £1.1m needed to fund the package of work at its meeting on 27th July.
Money will also be invested in upgrades to the Fleet Maintenance Centre to ensure that the team have the skills and specialist tools needed to maintain an increasing electric fleet.