UK-first as Cardiff parks get zero emissions electric tractor

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Cardiff Council is set to be one of the first local authorities in the UK to purchase an electric tractor, following a successful trial at Forest Farm Nature Reserve, located just outside the city.

The Farmtrac 25G electric tractor, which charges via a standard 3-pin plug, will replace a diesel run tractor currently used for meadow management, and is expected to half the emissions currently associated with this work.

The new, lighter and smaller equipment will also allow the team to increase the collection of local provenance seeds from grasslands with high biodiversity value. These seeds can then be used to restore lower quality areas as part of the city’s ongoing pollinator project.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Bradbury said: “Our forthcoming ‘One Planet’ strategy will set out in detail our plans to tackle the climate emergency, but in the meantime work to continue reducing our carbon emissions is progressing across the Council. Introducing this new technology into our parks service is another step on that important road.”

The council has already reduced emissions from its direct carbon footprint by 33.5% from 2015-2018 and the council’s electricity is provided on a 100% renewable energy tariff. 

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