A £20m scheme backed by the Department for Transport (DfT) will see local authority and other public sector fleets begin trialling a number of environmentally-friendly electric and hybrid light commercials later this year. The aim is for the public sector to lead by example when it comes to cutting emissions.Modec, Smith Electric Vehicles, Allied Vehicles and Ashwoods are the selected suppliers with around 100 to 150 vehicles ultimately likely to be involved. The dozen operators participating in the scheme, part of the government’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme, will include Liverpool City Council, Glasgow City Council, the Environment Agency and the Royal Mail.
The vehicles will be monitored to assess the carbon reduction benefits they are providing. A successful initial trial may result in financial support for more commercial vehicles in a second £30m phase of the scheme.
Due to last for at least three years, the trial is being managed for the DfT by Cenex, the UK’s Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon Vehicle and Fuel Cell Technologies.
