A NEW mayoral hybrid car – which can travel 35 miles on electric before needing petrol – presents 'a good deal for the taxpayer and environment'.

The four-year lease had expired on the old mayoral car, an Audi A6, with a replacement model quoted at costing £275 per month.

But Warrington Borough Council has opted for the Hyundai Ioniq on a three-year lease at a cost of £257 per month, which includes maintenance, servicing, use of any hire vehicles and replacement tyres.

The council believes it 'presents excellent value for money'.

A spokesman said: "We estimate that due to the hybrid model of the new car, and therefore the markedly lower fuel consumption rate, it will be around £30-£50 a month cheaper once all costs are considered.

"The new mayoral car presents a good deal for the taxpayer and a good deal for the environment.

"The new car is a plug-in hybrid model which, when fully charged, can travel 35 miles on electric before needing to use any petrol – meaning it is greener, cleaner and significantly cheaper to run than the previous mayoral car.

"The mayor performs many public engagements each year involving a significant amount of travel to local events and charity fundraisers, so it is likely that whenever the mayor attends events in Warrington the car will only ever use electricity.

"The new vehicle offers both value for money and demonstrates the council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint."

Chris Poller, sales manager at Ryders of Warrington, added: "We are proud to be supporting the council with the lease of the new mayoral car.

"We have been established in the town for nearly 30 years and support local causes where possible, so when we got the opportunity to support the mayor, not only in the lease of the new car but also by contributing to the mayor's charities, we were delighted."

Cllr Karen Mundry is the current Mayor of Warrington.