The Environment Agency has become the first public sector organisation to add pioneering new low-carbon commercials to its fleet through a Government scheme after it took delivery of 12 new vans.
The new Ford Transit vans have been fitted with an award-winning hybrid drive system developed and installed by Ashwoods. The system works by capturing energy that would normally be lost as heat during braking, and reuses it to assist the engine. This means that the engine does not have to work as hard, and therefore uses less fuel and CO2.
In trials the technology fitted in the new vans showed a reduction in carbon emissions of over 14 per cent compared to non-hybrid systems. It also showed significant reductions in harmful mono-nitrogen oxides and particulates.
The vans were made available to the Environment Agency through the Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme. Announced in May 2007, the programme procures low-carbon vehicles for public sector organisations.
The Environment Agency’s Head of Fleet Operations Dale Eynon said: “The Environment Agency is committed to reducing its carbon emissions wherever possible. This means making the most of green technology and choosing environmentally-friendly options for all aspects of the work we do, including transport.”
Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said: "Cutting emissions from vans is an important part of our carbon reduction strategy for transport. That is why we are supporting this programme – to test out newly-designed low-emission vehicles in real-world conditions and give people confidence about what they can deliver. It’s great that the Environment Agency has now got these vehicles out on the road."
