A new website to help public sector fleets realise the benefits of a Government hybrid vehicle programme is now live.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is offering grant funding towards a new Ashwoods Hybrid Transit light commercial vehicle (LCV) through its Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP).

The programme was established to help public sector organisations such as central and local government bodies to become early adopters of low carbon vehicles. It has now been extended to cover housing associations, universities and further education establishments.

The Ashwoods Hybrid Transit, produced by Ashwoods Automotive Ltd and based on the popular RWD Ford Transit, is the only DfT-approved vehicle in the programme. It is available as a chassis cab, minibus or panel van. Under the LCVPP scheme, DfT provides a subsidy of more than £3,400 per vehicle.

DfT is only providing subsidies for the first 500 Ashwoods vehicles ordered – and all orders must be received by March 2013.

Ashwoods has launched a dedicated website, http://www.ashwoodshybrid.co.uk/, which focuses on the benefits of switching to hybrid and explains the process of applying for the LCVPP subsidy.

Martin Kadhim, Business Development Director at Ashwoods Automotive, said: “The cost difference can between a normal transit and a hybrid transit can now be recouped in as little as a year based on 7,000 miles per annum. The paperwork is very straightforward and the entire process takes just a matter of days.”

The Ashwoods Hybrid Transit is fitted with a hybrid system that captures wasted energy and uses it to help the engine burn less fuel. It reduces diesel consumption by up to 25%, helping organisations to lower their fleet fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions.

The van requires no charging, plugging in, or special treatment and can used for any job for which a regular van would be considered.

Ashwoods successfully proved its technology to the DfT over a three year period during which its vehicles covered 4 million miles. Ashwoods provided routine testing and fleet manager feedback from 14 public sector organisations, utilising 138 Hybrid vans.

Picture: Mayor of London Boris Johnson behind the wheel of an Ashwoods Hybrid Transit