Electric vehicle trials in Rotterdam lead to increase in uptake
In a bid to improve the use of electric vehicles, the City of Rotterdam (The Netherlands) provided council members, policy officers and fleet managers with the opportunity to test-drive a range of electric cars for up to two weeks. Prior to the testing period, presentations were held in city council meetings, addressing concerns about electric vehicles and going into detail on electric vehicle policy and infrastructure requirements. As a result, more than 10 percent of Rotterdam's vehicle fleet is now electric, with this number growing.
Local Authorities were also provided with Total Cost of Ownership calculations, comparing the use of an electric vehicle to a conventional vehicle. These calculations showed the benefits of electric fleets, assuaging many fears about the expense of going electric.
To add a competitive element to proceedings, a quiz was held on electric vehicle use in the municipality. A photo competition was also held on twitter, in which staff members were asked to tweet a photo of the electric cars together with a message promoting sustainability. This competition led to positive social media activity on the part of the local authority and its employees.
For more information, visit the Procurement Forum.