After meeting with large fleets – the consortium’s target audience - it was clear there was a demand for a mid-range lightweight van with low emissions but with a viable range and at a viable price.

So the consortia began work to produce demonstration versions of an ultra-low emissions van (and eventually a zero-emission van with the arrival of the hydrogen fuel cell version) that uses existing and proven technology.

“This van will sit between a current diesel-powered van and a battery powered van,” explains Tempest. “Emissions will be 70g/km and will work out at an estimated 50p per mile to run compared to 57ppm for a comparable diesel model.”

Proven technology such as stop-start technology, the series hybrid with a diesel engine and lightweight materials will all be incorporated into the new van.

“This grant allows us to look at specific existing technology and components that are already available and put them into a demonstration vehicle.”

For example the engine will be a 1.4-litre diesel unit sourced from Ford, the battery technology will come from electric carmaker Axiam, while the body will be constructed from proven lightweight bonded aluminium and even lighter plastic panels. Switchgear will also come from Ford, as Tempest says “We will maximise Ford’s parts bins”.

Even when it replaces the series hybrid system with hydrogen fuel cells in 2017, the hydrogen technology will have been proven in taxis that are already in production now.

The van design and driver ergonomics will be specifically configured to meet the requirements of commercial vehicle fleet operators such as Royal Mail and DHL, both of whom have already provided initial input to the project, explained Tempest.

The project he says will combine the 'best of British' automotive design, engineering and development technology and will utilise the UK’s vehicle-centric technologies and supply networks.

What it will also do is provide fleets with some 10,000 ultra-lightweight, ultra-low emission vans in just over three years.