Electric pool cars will be used by staff at Robert Gordon University (RGU) as part of its move to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable travel.
The new cars arrived on campus this in July as part of an agreement with Co-wheels in Aberdeen and are available to staff who are required to travel for business in and around Aberdeen.
The twelve-month initiative, which is supported by Aberdeen City Council's Powering Aberdeen programme and funded by Transport Scotland through the Developing Car Clubs in Scotland Programme, is designed to help the university reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainable travel and drive down staff transportation costs.
The university recently took delivery of two new vehicles, a Renault ZOE which can carry four people and a Nissan eNV200 which can carry five.
They are in addition to two electric vans already used by the university which travel between the Garthdee campus, RGU’s city centre premises at Schoolhill, and the wider Aberdeen area to transport mail and other items.
Staff who undertake regular trips on behalf of RGU using their own vehicles will be able to join Co-wheels Car Club. As a member, staff can autonomously view car availability and reserve online through Co-wheels booking system, free of charge on a first come, first serve basis.
One of the vehicles will be based at the existing charging point between the Faculty of Health and Social Care and RGU SPORT and the other will be stationed at a new charging point in the Garthdee House car park.
The Principal of RGU, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, supports the scheme and has encouraged staff to use the cars as a first travel option where possible.
He said: “Our new partnership with Co-wheels is a significant step in our continuing efforts to reduce carbon emissions and staff travel costs.
“The new electric vehicles are a welcome addition to our pool car fleet and give us a new mode of sustainable travel for staff to use when the need arises.”
Aberdeen City Council Powering Aberdeen spokeswoman, Councillor Jean Morrison, said: “In playing a collaborative role in projects such as this new partnership, our Powering Aberdeen programme can help to encourage a new city-wide public-private sector approach to reducing our carbon footprint and to drive forward plans for Aberdeen to become a leading sustainable economy in the UK.
“This in turn will pay dividends for all sectors as inward investment grows and Aberdeen is recognised as being a smart, green energy city.”
Tony Archer, regional manager (Scotland) for Co-wheels, said: “By implementing these two electric vehicles for staff, RGU is flying the flag for more sustainable travel within the higher education sector, and for organisations in Aberdeen.
“Replacing staff business miles in their own cars with access to the car club has proven benefits for the local environment, staff health, and bottom line, and we’re very pleased to be providing this service for the university.”
Bill Somerville, director of Estates and Property Services at RGU, said: “We are delighted to become a member of the Co-wheels Car Club initiative and the two vehicles represent further commitment to RGU’s sustainability initiatives as well as driving down the cost of business travel within the city.
“As the initiative develops we hope to be able to add hybrid and traditional fuel powered vehicles to the fleet to enable a wider area of operation.”