Wessex Garages has assisted its local constabulary in a bid to go green by providing the Avon and Somerset force with a brace of Nissan Leaf EVs.

The group’s flagship Nissan showroom, off Hayes Way at Cribbs Causeway, has provided the two vehicles to the police for general purpose use around Bristol.

Andy Provis, group fleet manager at Wessex Garages, said: “The practicality of the Leaf is really drawing people to make the purchase and we are pleased to see that the local constabulary is making the choice to choose electric vehicles where they can.

“It is great to see Avon and Somerset Constabulary thinking and doing something about its carbon footprint.”

Hannah Watts, sustainability manager at Avon and Somerset Constabulary, said: “Trying to reduce the impact we have on the environment is important to Avon and Somerset police, so we’re working hard to cut the amount of fuel our cars use where we can.

“Policing is much more than responding to 999 calls and there’s definitely a place for electric vehicles in our fleet.

“We’ve already trialled a Nissan Leaf with one of our neighbourhood teams in Bristol and the feedback from officers was really positive.

“It makes absolute sense to permanently swap two regular general purpose vehicles, which do lots of journeys within the city boundary on a daily basis, for electric.”

Wessex Garages has outlets in Bristol, Cardiff, Gloucester and Newport – representing a total of eight brands – and specialises in new and used car sales across South Wales and the South West.