A number of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Ford Transit Custom vans, which are the product of a GB£4.7m (US$5.9m) Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and industry-funded project, will be trialled in London from Autumn 2017. The APC-funded programme saw collaboration between Ford, Prodrive Advanced Technology and Revolve Technologies, and aims to provide an important step in improving air quality in major cities.
The vehicle, which has been developed at Ford’s Dunton technical centre and Prodrive Advanced Technology’s facility offers zero emissions driving in cities with the added flexibility of an efficient combustion engine for longer journeys. It is one of 20 projects that have been funded by the APC since April 2014 to make the UK a global centre of excellence for low carbon powertrain development and production.
“The Ford Transit Custom PHEV is an excellent example of how UK-based innovators, suppliers and manufacturers are working together to tackle issues facing the global automotive industry,” explained Ian Constance, chief executive of the APC. “Since 2014, the APC has committed funding to projects with a combined value of more than GB£325m (US$408m) to help the UK automotive industry develop new technologies to lower carbon emissions and improve air quality.”
The APC enables partnerships between innovators, suppliers and OEMs to develop new, efficient powertrain technologies in the UK and bring them to market. Government and industry have committed a total of GB£1bn (US$1.25bn) to the APC over a 10-year programme.
Ford will provide 20 Transit Custom PHEVs to a number of commercial vehicle fleets across London from Autumn 2017.