Sustainable Travel and Transport
Transport is responsible for 25% of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions and has a significant role in reducing these, as well as improving air quality levels. This is better for our planet, but also has a significant impact on human health.
Fleet vehicles
NHS Tayside has a fleet of about 250 vehicles, comprising of commercial vehicles, cars, agricultural vehicles, and tugs. These vehicles support the delivery of clinical and non-clinical services to patients across Tayside.
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The
NHS Scotland Climate Emergency & Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026 aims for owned and leased fleet vehicles to have zero tail pipe emissions as early as possible. All small and light commercial vehicles (LCV) are to be powered by renewable alternatives by 2025, with the purchase and leasing of large fossil-fuelled vehicles being prohibited by 2030.
Starting in 2015, NHS Tayside embarked on a journey to decarbonise its vehicles, and the percentage of electric vehicles in the fleet has risen year-on-year with a corresponding reduction in petrol/diesel models, and therefore harmful emissions.
Click on image to viewCharging infrastructure
To support the introduction of electric vehicles into the fleet, dedicated charging infrastructure has been installed on 17 NHS Tayside sites to date.
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What's next?
NHS Tayside is committed to continuing to decarbonise the remaining petrol/diesel vehicles in the fleet. One of the biggest challenges for Boards is replacing the more specialised vehicles with particular technical requirements. We work closely with services, manufacturers and contractors as electric vehicle technology continues to evolve at pace.
What does this mean for the people of Tayside?
The decarbonisation of our fleet vehicles demonstrates our commitment to the sustainability agenda and resultant public health benefits. The reduction in NHS Tayside’s carbon emissions through fleet vehicles is estimated as up to 1.75 tonne for every 10,000 miles undertaken. As our fleet covers over 2 million miles per year, there is a significant reduction in our carbon emissions, and therefore a positive impact on human health.
Active Travel
Active travel benefits our physical, mental and environmental wellbeing. Even small changes, such as leaving the car behind two or three times a week; parking further away from your destination or using public transport instead of the car, can make a difference.
NHS Tayside is committed to maximising the use of active travel and have been able to secure external funds to provide ebikes and cycle parking to a number of our GP surgeries, clinical teams and NHS Tayside sites. We also have year-round access to the Cycle to Work Scheme which can be accessed below.
