Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) has taken delivery of its first batch of electric pool cars as part of a wider project to cut fleet emissions and costs.

Janet Lewis, director of operations at Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, with one of the new electric pool cars

Working in partnership with public sector specialist Knowles Fleet, 22 of the Trust’s 35 petrol pool cars have been swapped for new electric vehicles, with the remainder of the cars due to be replaced by the end of the year.

Knowles Fleet used its funding model to find the best deal for the EVs and teamed up with technology provider Hiyacar to fit each of the cars with a smart solution to improve utilisation and efficiency.

CLCH staff can now find and book their nearest pool car using an app-based platform and access vehicles via a keyless entry system for ease of use.

The trust has also installed charge points onsite and provided staff with charging cards to support the transition.

Tom Wright, director of sustainability at  Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Moving to an all-electric fleet is an important part of our green plan to reduce the Trust’s emissions in line with national sustainability targets.

“The electric cars have zero carbon emissions when driven, and produce less roadside pollution than diesel and petrol cars, so will help to improve the health and wellbeing of our staff and communities.”

The pool car project is part of a wider range of sustainable transport solutions Knowles Fleet delivers for CLCH including an employee salary sacrifice car scheme and commercial vehicles.

Daniel O’Neill, commercial director at Knowles Fleet, said: “We’ve worked closely with the CLCH team to successfully complete phase one of the transition to an 100% electric, professionally managed pool car fleet that will help community staff travel more efficiently, economically and sustainably.

“CLCH is one of hundreds of public sector organisations we’re currently supporting on the journey to net zero. With the resource pressures many are facing, our personalised solutions are specifically designed to cut costs, reduce emissions and minimise risk in a way that requires little input from client teams.”