LEICESTER City Council has become the latest UK local authority to join the ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme.
The voluntary scheme encourages and supports operators of HGVs, buses and vans to run their fleets more efficiently and help improve air quality.
The city council has teamed up with international transport consultancy TRL to encourage more local fleet operators to sign up to the scheme. Funding for Leicester’s ECO Stars scheme comes from the Government’s Joint Air Quality Unit and joining is free of charge.
By signing up, organisations will receive an expert appraisal of their fleet along with practical advice about how to improve efficiency and cut fuel consumption.
So far, over 30 local fleet operators have joined the city council in signing up to Leicester’s ECO Stars scheme.
Samworth Brothers are one of the organisations who have already signed up to ECO Stars, and are in the process of converting vehicles to become more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.
Paul Marrow, Samworth Brothers Supply Chain Operations Director said: “This scheme has been of great use for Samworths. We are doing our bit for the city by lowering the emissions our vehicles produce and are grateful of the support ECO Stars has offered our organisation.”
Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on climate, economy and culture, said: “We’re pleased to be to be bringing ECO Stars to Leicester. The scheme offers practical help and advice to local fleet operators on how to operate more efficiently and reduce fuel consumption. This can help local business bring down their running costs and do their bit to cut emissions and help improve air quality.”
“We’ve had a really good response from local operators so far, but we want to make sure as many local operators as possible have the chance to benefit from this free, voluntary scheme.”
Leicester City Council is following industry best practice by managing its own fleet for efficiency and safety, and is adopting a move to electric vehicles where possible as part of its overall renewal programme.
Jim Chappell, fleet efficiency principal consultant at TRL, said: “For over 10 years the ECO Stars scheme has provided commercial vehicle operators with individually tailored practical help to reduce their emissions through the sharing of industry best practice and providing independent advice on new technologies. TRL is delighted to role the scheme out in Leicester as part of the city’s actions to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life for local residents.”
To find out more about Leicester’s ECO Stars scheme, visit www.ecostars-uk.com or email ecostarsTRL@trl.co.uk