The first wave of fleets participating in the Ford Transit plug-in hybrid van (PHEV) London trial, starting this autumn, have been confirmed.
The multi-million pound project is designed to explore how lower-emission plug-in hybrid electric vans could support cleaner air targets, whilst boosting productivity for operators in urban conditions.
The project, supported by Transport for London, features a 12-month trial of 20 new Ford Transit PHEVs. Equipped with range extenders, the fleet is capable of the longer journeys that may be required by businesses and ‘blue light’ services.
The participating fleets represent a cross-section of city-based businesses which will integrate the Ford Transit Custom PHEV vans into day-to-day operations. Using a Ford telematics system, each Transit PHEV will collect data on the vehicles’ financial, operational and environmental performance to help understand how the benefits of electrified vehicles could be maximised.
The five fleets include the Metropolitan Police with two Transit PHEV vans: one marked for second response to traffic accidents and one un-marked as a forensic support unit. In addition, Transport for London will use three of the vans for freight duties.
The other fleets involved in the trial are Addison Lee, British Gas and plant services supplier, Clancy Plant.
In addition, Mark Harvey has been appointed director of the urban electrified van programme – a new position at Ford in the UK. In the role, Harvey will work directly with Transport for London, the participating fleets, and the Ford development team, to “bring manufacturer, consumer and city together to better understand CV use in a megacity”.