MR WHIPPY ice cream vendors feel the heat after being told to turn off their engines to help save the planet.
The famous vans drive their diesel engines to power their pumps – but festivals, fun fairs and seaside bosses are now telling them to pull the plug to cut CO2 emissions.
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As a result, Mr Whippy vans can often only serve scoop ice cream or frozen packaged treats like Cornettos or lollipops — which vendors say are seeing business melt away.
The famous ice cream has been an integral part of UK Daylight Saving Time since the sixties.
A van owner said “at least 95 percent” of her sales were Mr Whippy 99s, especially during heat waves like the current one.
Katy Alston, president of the Ice Cream Alliance industry association, said: “Event organizers believe we should use electric ice cream trucks costing a minimum of £180,000.
“These vans are still in the early stages of development and many believe they are not yet fit for purpose.”
But salesman Frankie Fernando, 56, converted five of his machines to electric, costing a total of £12,500. He said: “It’s a good thing. That is better for the environment.”