CUMBRIA Police are going green by planning to make their fleet of pool cars electric.

The move away from petrol and diesel has been described as a way of helping the environment and saving money.

Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner Peter McCall backed the plans at a meeting with finance chiefs at police headquarters on Thursday.

The Constabulary will replace four pool cars coming to the end of their life  in 2019-20 with new electric or hybrid vehicles in a first for the force.

The Constabulary plans to fully integrate “electric” or hybrid vehicles into its pool car fleet in the future.

However, it has stopped short of making its traditional police cars electric.

Hybrids can be either petrol or diesel but with an electric motor.

It has required an additional £28,000 being moved into its fleet budget as part of ways to explore the police having a “greener fleet”.

A report to the crime commissioner said that while greener vehicles tended to be more expensive when first bought, they saved money over time.

A report said: “The fleet manager intends to integrate full electric and hybrid vehicles into the pool car fleet.

“As technology is still emerging and gathering pace, the initial capital outlay is higher than that of an equivalent diesel engine.

“However, with less moving parts and the lack of a combustion engine to run and maintain, the revenue cost savings have a significant benefit over the lifespan of the vehicle.”

“Over coming years, it is intended to replace the current fleet with this type of vehicle wherever this is possible and operational needs allow.”

Mr McCall agreed to the plans at a meeting at Cumbria Police headquarters, Penrith.