Picture from left:  Jerome Baddley - Sustainable Energy Development Manager for NEP, Stuart Warsop - HCA for District Nursing Team, Mark Watkins – Transport Manger – Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Simon Smith – Executive Director of Local Services – Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

20 July 2012 Written by Jerome Baddley

NHS Nottinghamshire County and Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust launched a joint Electric Vehicle project yesterday.

NEP have been working with NHS Nottinghamshire over the last 3 ½ years on carbon reporting and carbon reduction projects, covering waste, energy, travel and procurement. With NEP support the trust has cut it carbon footprint by around 25% and energy costs by over £500k.

Transport is a critical areas for local NHS trusts, with thousands of journeys undertaken every day by community nursing teams to private homes and residential care. Multiple short trips in urban and suburban environments add to carbon emissions, particulates and other vehicle fumes. The carcogenicity of vehicle fumes is becoming more recognised as a significant health issue, as well as the impacts of particulates on respiratory conditions and the impact of carbon emissions on climate change.  Electric vehicles can have a significant impact on costs for short journeys and the air quality in built up areas. Being far quieter in use electric vehicle also reduce urban noise pollution.

Electric pool cars are ideal for community hubs like health centres and it is fantatstic that the vehicle is proving so popular with frontline health staff!

We are pleased to have been able to support both trusts in engaging with the regional low carbon transport project.