Housing Associations can now buy low carbon hybrid light commercial vehicles (LCVs) for the same price as a standard diesel vehicle, thanks to a Government initiative.

The Department for Transport is offering to pay the difference between a standard Ford Transit and the hybrid equivalent, 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.

The Ashwoods Hybrid Transit, produced by Ashwoods Automotive Ltd, 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.

Martin Kadhim, business development director at Ashwoods Automotive, said: “This is a unique opportunity for the Social Housing sector to cut fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions from transport.

“Light commercial vehicles play an important role within any housing association; this is an opportunity to procure a proven environmental technology that delivers a real return on investment.”