STAFF at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office have been taking to the road this week in a range of different eco-friendly ways.

Employees have been making their way to and from the Admiralty Way site in a variety of ways designed to reduce pollution and minimise environmental impact.

UKHO workers who cycled or walked to work were rewarded with a free thirst-quenching carton of juice, and staff who teamed up to car share were entered into a free prize draw raffle.

Meanwhile, UKHO corporate transport officer Simon Hards, tried out the eco-friendly Smart Passion Cabriolet car for size to ferry around members of the executive committee.

The Smart car, which is an ultra-low emission vehicle, was provided by Mercedes Benz of Taunton in support of UKHO's Eco Hydro week of green activities to celebrate World Environment Day.

Simon said: "It proved to be an ideal car for town and urban use."

The two-seater Smart car averaged 60 miles to the gallon, and costs its low CO2 emissions mean it only costs £35 a year in road tax.

Other eco-friendly features of the Smart car include:

  • An electric pump which blows fresh air into the exhaust port when the engine is cold to almost completely oxidize the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons to render them harmless.
  • The body panels are completely recyclable.
  • Only water-soluble paints are used on the body work to remove the need for solvents.
  • 100% recyclable synthetics are used for items such as the dashboard and wheel housing covers.

UKHO senior staff, such as chief executive Mike Robinson, national hydrographer Ian Moncrieff and chief operating officer and deputy chief executive Micheal Cauter, got to experience the Smart car in action with Simon at the wheel.

And staff got a chance to find out more for themselves when the Smart car was put on display at lunchtime on site with information leaflets made available.