The latest additions follow a six-month trial of three electric vehicles, including the LEAF, and an analysis of whether the technology could cut travel costs as well as carbon emissions for the council.

Because of the size of the county, the council’s fleet covers five million miles on official business each year. The two identical LEAFs are on a 24-month lease and will cover 24,000 miles in their time on fleet.

So far, the vehicles are proving so popular with employees that the council is said to be investigating further additions to its electric fleet.

Councillor Ian Swithenbank, policy board member for streetcare and environment, said: ‘Before adding the LEAF permanently, we had to see a business case showing that, once we had leased them, the overall cost to the council would reduce.

‘We have clear evidence they will do just that and they will also make a contribution to the council’s carbon saving targets.’