Supported by Transport for London, Ford has begun a 12 month trial of 20 plug in hybrid Transit vans in a multimillion pound project.

As part of the pilot, Ford will provide 20 plug in hybrid Transits to a number of commercial fleets around London including Transport for London to explore how such vans can contribute to cleaner air targets. They may boost productivity in urban conditions too, the toughest working environment for motor vehicles. The government funded Advanced Propulsion Centre is supporting the project financially.

“Ford is the No 1 commercial vehicle brand in Europe and it’s now going electric. Teaming up with our London partners, we will also be able to trial software and telematics with enormous potential to reduce emissions and costs in the city,” said Jim Farley, chairman and chief executive of Ford of Europe.

“This new type of partnership demonstrates our evolution to both an auto and mobility company. We have lots of work to do, but everyone is so energised by this breakthrough opportunity.”

Globally, Ford has set out plans for 13 new electric vehicle lines scheduled for introduction in the next five years. The car giant is focusing its EV plans on electrifying its most popular, high volume commercial vehicles, trucks, SUVs and performance vehicles to appeal to the mass market.

In London alone, commercial vehicles in London make 280,000 journeys on a typical weekday, travelling around 8 million miles. Vans account for over 75% of peak freight traffic, with 7000 vehicles per hour driving at peak times in Central London alone.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “The freight sector’s transition to ultra-low emission vehicles is central to cleaning up London’s toxic air. Transport for London continues to lead by example by increasing the number of its own vehicles that are electric and will find the data from these trials an invaluable resource for the LoCITY programme, which encourages the uptake of low emission commercial transport.”
 
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