THE number of electric miles covered by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff has increased eleven-fold in the past three years.

Statistics show workers from the local health board clocked up 921,840 miles in electric vehicles in 2020/21, compared to just 75,000 in 2018/19.

And there was a surge in the use of eco-friendly motors during the Covid pandemic, as mileage more than doubled between 2019/20 and 2020/21.

But while the health board, which covers both Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, has adopted greener methods of transport, there is little sign of environmentally-damaging vehicles being ditched.

Staff drove a combined total of 5,868,000 petrol and diesel miles in 2020/21, while the coronavirus crisis forced the majority of people to work from home.

This was up by more than 20% from 2019/20.

A spokesman for NHSGGC said it is targeting “an accelerated reduction in climate emissions that contribute to a net-zero carbon target” and making “significant progress” in decarbonising its fleet.

He added: “Our Sustainability Governance Group is in the process of coordinating and delivering our obligations against the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Scottish Climate Change Plan.

“The petrol, diesel and electric vehicles year-on-year have been used for essential purposes, including to move products, goods, staff and patients.

“As we increase the number of electric vehicles we bring on board, there will be a reduction in petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.”

The health board currently has 450 vehicles, 80 of which are fully electric, with a further 15 to be added in the next six months.

Despite the increase in petrol and diesel miles covered, NHSGGC saved money on fuel last year.

In 2020/21, it splashed out £39,620 on petrol – a drop of 26% compared to the previous year.