Ford Demonstrates Viability Of Electric Commercial Vehicles With Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid Vans


    With the help of multiple partners and participants, Ford recently completed a trial consisting of 20 Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid vans operating around London. The trial yielded valuable feedback that will be funneled into the production model, which is scheduled for release in late 2019. (Photo courtesy of Ford.)


    Ford recently completed a year-long PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) trial in London with the help of a £4.7 million grant from the Advanced Propulsion Centre, which is funded by the UK Government. The trial involved 20 Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid vans traveling 240,000 kilometres in an effort to “test whether businesses could carry out the typical daily duties of their diesel-powered vehicles,” while using a “zero-emissions electric-only mode,” Ford says. This would help curb emissions from the commercial vehicles that travel around 13 million kilometres throughout London on the average weekday.


    Group Effort

    Several urban businesses took part in the trial, including Addison Lee Group, Autoglass, British Gas, Clancy Plant, DPD, Heathrow Airport, Interserve, Mears Group, the Metropolitan Police, Morrison Utility Services, RNLI, Royal Mail, Speedy Hire, Sky, Transport for London, and Vodafone. Ford’s results showed that “75% of the fleet’s mileage in Central London and 49% in Greater London was completed using pure electric power.” The company points out that London does not currently have extensive charging infrastructure in place, but the results show that the vans were still “able to dramatically reduce tailpipe emissions in the inner city” and then switch over to petrol power when necessary.


    “These trials have helped Ford and its customers to investigate the extent to which PHEVs can help to achieve urban air quality goals, whilst not compromising on productivity,” says Mark Harvey, director of Ford’s Urban Electrified Van programme. “This trial is the first time Ford has given such early prototype vehicles to customers, and we’ve been able to incorporate their feedback directly into the production van. The response has been overwhelmingly positive – operators don’t want to give them back.”


    More To Come

    Ford plans to put on more trials in Cologne, Germany, and Valencia, Spain, in order to collect more unique data and improve future production models. The trials will include Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid vans, which the company plans to launch by the end of 2019, as well as Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid people movers. Ford is targeting a 50-kilometre zero-emission range and an extended range of 500 kilometres by leveraging a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine for both models. Owners will be able to charge the battery pack “using a standard 230-volt supply,” according to Ford. The company also plans to launch a new all-electric Ford Transit model in 2021.


    If you are in the market for a Ford Transit or other similar model, you will find a large selection of used Ford trucks and vans for sale every day on TruckLocator.

    Posted On Wednesday 17 July 2019
    Category: Truck and Trailer News
    tag
      Blog Archive
    Cargo Express Chooses High-Quality Schmitz Cargobull Mega Trailers For International Transport
    Posted 06/11/2024
    Cargo Express adds Schmitz Cargobull Mega trailers to its fleet for their high quality, flexible roof height, and anti-theft features. ...
    Read More
    DAF Trucks Debuts New Innovations At IAA Transportation 2024
    Posted 07/10/2024
    Learn more about DAF's New Generation XD, XF, XG, and XG? trucks, which recently made their debut at the IAA Transportation 2024 show. ...
    Read More
    West Yorkshire Haulier Acquires Volvo FH Aero 460 Tractors
    Posted 30/09/2024
    Bower Green recently upgraded three trucks to new, aerodynamic Volvo FH Aero 460 tractor units with I-Save fuel-saving features and Globetrotter cabs. ...
    Read More
    Holland & Barrett Renews Fleet With Don-Bur Box Bodies
    Posted 26/09/2024
    Don-Bur announces the completion of a new batch of 33 bespoke 18-tonne rigid box bodies for Holland & Barrett, the UK's leading health and wellbeing store. ...
    Read More
    Oakland Distribution Acquires 30 Renault T480 Tractor Units
    Posted 25/09/2024
    Oakland Distribution recently added 30 new Renault T480 Turbo Compound 6x2 tractor units to its fleet, chosen for driver comfort and enhanced fuel economy. ...
    Read More
    New DAF XB Electric & Paccar Power Solutions At Cenex Expo 2024
    Posted 04/09/2024
    The latest XB Electric truck and Paccar Power Solutions will be on display at Cenex Expo today and tomorrow (September 4 and 5) at UTAC Millbrook. ...
    Read More
    Hadfields Transport Returns To Mercedes-Benz Trucks
    Posted 04/09/2024
    After a 7-year hiatus, Hadfields Transport recently added two 18-tonne Mercedes-Benz Actros 1827 trucks with box bodies with 2.7-tonne cantilever tail lifts. ...
    Read More
    DAF: 75 Years Of Trucks From Eindhoven
    Posted 21/06/2024
    DAF Trucks is celebrating 75 years of truck-building, just one in a long line of highlights driven by innovation, revolutionary technologies, and smart design. ...
    Read More
    DAF 19-Tonne XB Electric Makes UK Trade Show Debut At Road Transport Expo
    Posted 04/06/2024
    The 19-tonne version of the zero-emissions DAF XB Electric truck, which has a range of 350 kilometres, is making its first appearance at a UK trade show at Road Transport Expo in Stoneleigh, England. ...
    Read More
    Aggregate Supplier Rory J. Holbrook Buys 12 New DAF XDC Tippers
    Posted 16/05/2024
    Norfolk-based aggregate supplier Rory J. ...
    Read More