Brentwood Council uses Jaguar XJ8 for official duties

Brentwood Council has said that it will look at its “environmental responsibilities” in the coming months after revealing it uses a gas-guzzling Jaguar for official duties.

A Freedom of Information request on behalf of bike manufacturer Brompton revealed that Brentwood Council uses a Jaguar XJ8 around three times a week.

The XJ model has been estimated by Jaguar to release at least 184g of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air for every kilometre it travels.

In 2021, the average CO2 emissions for newly-registered cars in the UK was 119.8g/km.

In the neighbouring borough of Havering, local leaders have switched to an electric vehicle, using a Ford Mach E for official duties.

Since 2018, Brentwood Council estimates it has spent £4,561 on maintaining its official car, and £1,796 on fuel.

But Cllr Barry Aspinell, the leader of Brentwood Council, claimed that the cost per year is relatively low compared to the potential cost of buying a new car.

The councillor, who is also the chair of the clean and green committee, said: “Whilst the cost per year is quite low compared to the cost of buying a new vehicle, we will be looking at our environmental responsibilities in the coming months and I would expect the options for transport for the civic role of the mayor to be part of those discussions.”

Earlier this year, Brentwood Council passed a motion opposing the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), labelling it a “tax grab”.

Hirra Khan Adeogun, co-director of climate action charity Possible, said: “With the searing heat and flash flooding these past few days, it’s time our political leaders take the action the climate crisis demands.

“We need to slash car use in our towns and cities by over a quarter by 2030, and our mayors should lead by example.”