Spotlight on Cenex LCV2012 exhibitors: Ashwoods – diesel hybrid vans, with funding available

07 August 2012 by Paul Clarke

If you’re a public sector organisation and you’re looking to buy vans, then don’t – because the government will pay for a Transit van to be fitted with an Ashwoods hybrid system , which will reduce emissions and fuel costs by over 15% compared with the equivalent diesel version.

Fuel economy savings of the hybrid van can be up to 25% in urban areas, so helping to lower running costs significantly, as well as helping to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality.

The hybrid system, which is recharged from the diesel engine when braking rather than needing to be plugged in to the mains, works at speeds of up to 55mph, when it assists with acceleration, so saving fuel. The system can be fitted to Ford Transits (rear-wheel drive only).

Ashwoods says that its hybrid vans have covered three million miles in the last three years.

The Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Public Procurement Programme (LCVPP) provides funding for Public Sector organisations to procure Ashwoods Hybrid Vehicles for their fleets. Grant funding is limited to the first 500 vehicles only.

In its first phase, the programme provided funding to support the trial of over 200 electric and low emission vans in a range of public fleets. The LCVPP is allowing for the collection of ‘real-world’ data about the vehicles’ performance and usage, helping to drive ongoing technological development; as well as demonstrate the existing capabilities of these vehicles.

In November 2011, OLEV Ministers took the decision to select Ashwoods Automotive, supplier of the low carbon van, to continue into the second phase of the programme as the sole supplier of hybrid light commercial vehicles. Funding is available for any public fleet buyers to purchase a further 500 low carbon vans from the procurement framework.

LCVPP Phase 2 offers Public Sector Fleets the opportunity to procure low carbon commercial vehicle fleets at no additional cost to purchasing traditional vehicles.

• Grants are available to Public Sector Fleets exclusively
• Grants limited to first 500 Ashwoods Hybrid Vehicles (first-come, first-served)
• Public Bodies purchase from an exclusive DFT Framework for Phase 2
• Grant deducted off invoice – no need to pay out and claim back
• Grant available for both outright purchase and contract hire

Ashwoods has also developed technology called ‘Lightfoot’ which can help drivers to achieve a 10-20% fuel saving. For the driver, this system appears as a simple traffic light display, with green, amber and red lights glowing, depending on the driving style. It’s a real-time system and the return on investment can be as little as just one month.

Ashwoods will be exhibiting at the Cenex LCV2012 event at Millbrook, 5 ^th & 6 ^th September 2012.