EAST Dorset and Christchurch councils have bought two electric cars with £21,000 from the county council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund and £10,000 from the Government.

The two Nissan Leaf vehicles will be used by the partnership’s civil enforcement officers.

The full life cost of the two vehicles over five years will be £36,000 - less than two diesel-powered vans.

The electric cars are ideal for the civil enforcement officers as their car park duties involve short journeys during the day. The cars can then be recharged overnight.

Cllr Margaret Phipps, portfolio holder for the environment at Christchurch Borough Council, said: “The cars achieve an equivalent of more than 260mpg, attract a zero road fund licence and have cheaper servicing due to fewer moving parts. Adding the running cost savings to the environmental benefits means these vehicles are ideal for the councils.”