The ACHA Group has 60 vans and trucks run by its repairs subsidiary Argyll Homes for All.

The group is running a trial with recently acquired electric vehicles as part of its ongoing work in terms of carbon neutrality.

It is the intention of the trial to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of the electric vehicles and their charging facilities which will then inform the way forward.

Alastair MacGregor, ACHA Group chief executive, commented: “The Association has 5,200 properties scattered from Cardross to Tiree, across Scotland’s second largest local authority land mass with a coastline longer than France’s. Our fleet’s reliability is key to delivering repairs services across such a huge rural geographical area with many challenges.

“We recognise the transition from fossil fuels has to take place but we want to ensure that through this trial we can identify what works and what doesn’t to inform what type of procurement and service arrangements we have for the future.”

At the conclusion of the trial a decision will be made on the framework for the way forward.