POLICE Scotland has awarded two contracts worth more than £25 million to help achieve its aim to be the first emergency service in the UK with a fleet of Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles.

BP Chargemaster will supply and install hundreds of electric vehicle charging posts (EVCPs) while almost 180 Hyundai Kona 64kWh cars will join the fleet.

Under the first phase, more than 400 charging points will be installed at more than 50 police sites across Scotland.

The priority will be on installing at police sites along roads linking Prestwick, Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), due to take place in Glasgow in November 2021.

Hyundai Motor UK has been awarded a contract to provide nearly 180 Hyundai Kona 64kWh cars to expand Police Scotland’s existing ULEV fleet. Delivery of these vehicles is expected to begin this month.

The Kona ULEVs are being initially rolled out as unmarked pool vehicles, to be used by both officers and staff.

Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said: “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.

"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."

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I am pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support Police Scotland in accelerating its plans to invest in a sustainable ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) fleet through the additional £5m allocated for this purpose in the 2020-21 Scottish Budget.

"Police Scotland’s fleet strategy has a focused drive towards decarbonising its fleet of vehicles, and demonstrates ambitious leadership in this area, through its plans to reduce the impact that the organisation will have on the environment.

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