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Ford Announces 12-Month London Trial for Transit Custom PHEV

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Ford Transit Custom PHEV

Ford is launching a major initiative in London that will aim to improve air quality through the use of one of its new electrified vehicles.

Ford Motor Company has the support of Transport for London and the funding of the Advanced Propulsion Centre on a 12-month trial that will see 20 Ford Transit Custom PHEV vans used by commercial fleets across the city. It is estimated that commercial vehicles in London make more than a quarter-million trips every weekday, covering a total of 8 million miles.

“Ford is the No. 1 commercial vehicle brand in Europe and it’s now going electric. Teaming up with our London partners, we will also be able to trial software and telematics with enormous potential to reduce emissions and costs in the city,” said Jim Farley, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “This new type of partnership demonstrates our evolution to both an auto and mobility company. We have lots of work to do, but everyone is so energized by this breakthrough opportunity.”

Ford Transit Custom PHEV

The Transit Custom PHEVs will utilize an advanced design that provides the possibility of zero-emission city driving. For longer trips, the vans will utilize efficient engines. Ford will collect data on these vans using telematics to determine ways to best optimize their performance.

The vans are being built at the Ford technical center in Dunton and Prodrive Advanced Technology in Banbury, thanks to both the support of Revolve Technologies and a £4.7 million grant from Advanced Propulsion Centre.

Ford Transit Custom PHEV

“The U.K. is a global leader in low-emission motor technology. This new project, with nearly £5 million of government money, has secured work here in the U.K. and demonstrates our commitment to not only reducing carbon emissions, but to work with industry on developing next generation technology that will make a real difference to people’s lives,” said Nick Hurd, Climate Change and Industry Minister. “This government will continue to work with the auto sector as we develop a comprehensive Industrial Strategy that will increase productivity, create high skilled jobs and ensure sustainable economic growth.”

The Transit Custom plug-in hybrid was one of the new electrified vehicles announced by Ford earlier this year, joining the F-150 Hybrid, Mustang Hybrid, and an as-yet-unnamed 300-mile-range SUV.

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