Scottish police to buy 180 Kona Electrics

About 180 64kWh Hyundai Kona Electrics have been ordered by Scottish police, while BP Chargemaster will install more than 400 EV charging points and maintain them at about 50 police sites.

Police Scotland has awarded two contracts worth more than 25 million pounds to help achieve its aim to be the first emergency service in the United Kingdom with a fleet of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).

Under the first phase, the charging points will be installed at police sites across Scotland, initially along roads linking Prestwick, Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021.

Hyundai Motor UK has been awarded a contract to supply the Kona Electrics to expand Police Scotland’s existing low emission fleet with delivery expected to start this month.

The Konas, which have about 480km range, are being rolled out as unmarked pool vehicles to be used by both officers and staff.

“Police Scotland’s fleet strategy is highly ambitious, with the aim of having the UK’s first ultra-low emission blue light fleet by 2030,” deputy chief constable Will Kerr says.

“These two substantial contracts mark a major step towards that goal by making ULEVs accessible to more of our officers and staff.

“Achieving our fleet strategy aims will significantly reduce carbon emissions, while also reducing maintenance and servicing costs,” Kerr adds.

“It’s one of many strides the organisation is taking to achieve a sustainable, flexible service which meets the needs of our fellow citizens while also providing a modern, fit-for-purpose fleet for our people to use in the course of their work.

“The gradual transition of our unmarked fleet from our current internal combustion engine vehicles to ULEVs will also assist with improving the existing fleet, as the age and mileage thresholds for replacing existing vehicles is being reduced.

“This means officers will have use of more modern vehicles while reducing maintenance and repair costs, at the same time as increasing the resilience of our contingency fleet.”

Justice secretary Humza Yousaf is pleased the Scottish Government has been able to support Police Scotland in accelerating its plans to invest in a sustainable ULEV fleet through the additional 5m pounds allocated for this purpose in the 2020-21 Scottish Budget.

“I hope that Police Scotland’s ambitious plans will inspire others to adopt these new technologies.”

BP Chargemaster chief executive Matteo de Renzi says the company’s ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 includes supporting customers in reducing their emissions.

Hyundai Motor UK managing director Ashley Andrew says Police Scotland’s approach to cutting greenhouse gases by switching to more sustainable transport mirrors Hyundai’s goal to become one of the leading EV providers in the UK.

“Demand for our pioneering electric vehicles for fleets has been exceptionally high in recent months and looks set to continue as we move towards a zero-emission future.”

Other police fleets in Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK have bought Kona Electrics too.