The car being used by the council gives off no engine noise

Planning officers in Leeds are becoming eco-friendly by travelling around the city in an electric car.

The car, called a G-Wiz, will be used by city planners and building surveyors during a 12-month trial.

It will help to save thousands of miles a year in conventional petrol driven cars and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.

Director of planning and environment John Lynch said: "In using an electric pool car we have a vehicle which costs very little to run, doesn't damage the environment and reduces the need for staff to use their own cars for work purposes."

Last year, planning staff covered more than 189,000 miles in their own vehicles.

The electric car being used by the department gives off no emissions or engine noise and has a top speed of 40mph.

It can run for 40 miles on a full charge at a cost of one pence per mile.