Air improvement with Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid
FORD Ford Motor Company is providing 20 Transit Custom vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive systems in London for a model project to improve air quality. Fleet users include the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London, the umbrella organization for the city's transport operators. Ford will be participating with fleets in a London test program starting this fall using the [...]
Ford is taking fleets on a London test program with the Ford Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid starting this fall. The test is a multi-million project to help improve air quality in the congested English capital.
One year test run
For a period of twelve months, Ford will provide fleet operators with a total of 20 Transit Custom models with plug-in hybrid drive. These will then be driven in purely electric mode in urban areas. Several companies and public authorities will use the advanced commercial vehicles: Transport for London (umbrella organization of urban transport operators); Metropolitan Police (Greater London Police Authority); Clancy Plant (transport and industrial service provider);Addison Lee (cab and transport); and British Gas (energy company).
Representative cross section
The participating fleets represent a cross-section of users in the London metropolitan area, who will integrate the vans into their daily operations. The range of the electrified plug-in hybrid commercial vehicles is not limited to battery power. Thanks to the additional combustion engine, longer driving distances are also possible if required. Using Ford's telematics system, each of the vehicles will collect data on their economic and environmental performance during the course of the test program. The goal is to better understand how the benefits of electrified vehicles could be maximized in the future.
Popular commercial vehicle not only in GB
„Over the past 50 years, the Ford Transit has been the most popular commercial vehicle across the UK," said Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain. "In terms of vehicle development, our customers have always been our focus. Because of the reduction in emissions, electrified vehicles offer real added value for all urban dwellers."
Official market launch 2019
The official market launch for the Ford Transit Custom with plug-in hybrid drive is scheduled for 2019. The expansion of automaker Ford into a comprehensive mobility company envisions autonomous driving and other mobility solutions in the near future in addition to vehicle electrification.
http://www.ford.corporate.com
