Welsh public sector electric vehicles are estimated to be avoiding diesel purchases of up to £3.7 million a year, according to analysis by the Welsh Government Energy Service.
That equates to 2.4 million litres of diesel. After charging costs, the annual saving is put at between £1.4 million and £1.9 million, depending on the tariff paid by the operating body.
The analysis covers a Welsh public sector fleet of 2,045 electric vehicles, including cars, light commercial vehicles, minibuses, refuse collection vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles, buses and specialist plant.
Using fleet-category assumptions for mileage, displaced diesel use and EV electricity consumption, it estimates 2.423 million litres of diesel purchases avoided each year and 8.6 GWh of electricity used by the EV fleet annually. The £3.7 million diesel figure is based on the latest ex-VAT diesel price.
During a 100-day oil price shock similar to recent US-Iran related market impacts, the fleet would avoid around £200,000 to £280,000 of additional diesel costs, the analysis says.
Jim Cardy, Senior Programme Manager at the Welsh Government Energy Service, said: “The Welsh public sector is already seeing a practical benefit from the transition to electric vehicles. These figures show that EVs are not just reducing emissions, they are also helping public bodies cut operating costs and reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.”
He added: “The next stage is to build on this progress by supporting more of the Welsh public sector fleet to transition to zero emission vehicles, while developing the smart energy systems needed to support them. Smart depots, on-site renewable generation, battery storage and shared charging infrastructure can help increase savings, strengthen energy security and make public sector fleet operations more resilient.”
The EV fleet is estimated to save around 6,151 tonnes CO₂e of well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions each year, with an indicative carbon value of approximately £1.7 million. The analysis notes that many vehicles may be charged using on-site renewable electricity, which could further reduce emissions depending on the accounting basis used.
Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llyr Gruffydd said: “This analysis shows that the transition to electric vehicles is delivering real benefits for public services across Wales.
“This new government is committed to further adoption of electric vehicles across public services; reducing diesel use, cutting operating costs, reducing exposure to rising fuel prices and making better use of public money.
“The Welsh Government Energy Service has played an important role in supporting this progress, helping public sector organisations make practical changes that strengthen energy resilience, reduce emissions and deliver long-term value for Welsh communities.”
The Welsh Government Energy Service says the figures are based on modelled fleet-category assumptions and should be treated as an estimate, not an audited savings statement.
