District Council of Yankalilla has announced acquisition of a fleet of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) to replace its current light fleet. 

The council says the change marks a significant milestone in its journey towards both financial and environmental sustainability.

“Our commitment to environmental stewardship led us to undertake a thorough assessment of our greenhouse gas emissions. 

“The findings revealed that fuel consumption was the leading contributor to our carbon footprint. In response, we sought solutions to mitigate this impact and were fortunate to receive a grant that facilitated this crucial evaluation.”

The council says transitioning from a traditional petrol-powered fleet to PHEVs presents a dual benefit, reducing emissions and benefiting from the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption available for PHEVs.

The announcement sparked community backlash on Facebook, many people questioning the expenditure when the council is in financial crisis and suggesting that footpath and road maintenance should have a higher priority.

The council responded by closing comments on the post.

“DCY does not tolerate personal attacks, disrespectful or abusive behaviour. With that in mind, some comments on this post have been removed as the content does not meet appropriate behaviour standards."