Funded by a grant from the Department of Energy, with additional funds supplied through the Green Building Special Revenue Fund, it’s the first trial of its kind in Nevada. The city will also be installing a network of public charging stations to support new electric vehicle owners.

The city’s sustainability officer Tom Perrigo said: ‘We know that electric cars are the wave of the future, so as we’re building new facilities, we’re installing charging stations so drivers can fill the batteries of their car while doing business or recreating at a city facility.

‘Thanks to the assistance from Senator Reid and Congresswoman Berkley, we are able to further show our commitment to building a sustainable community for current and future generations.’

The Volt joins a fleet of 1,150 vehicles on the city’s fleet, of which 90% use alternative fuels, including hydrogen, compressed natural gas, biodiesl, hybrid and now electric power. In 2002, the Las Vegas installed the world’s first hydrogen energy centre, and its alternative fuel programme won the Transportation category at the 2007 World Leadership Awards in London.