The Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP) is offering public sector organisations a subsidy of £3,430 per vehicle in a move to help such organisations become early adopters of low carbon vehicles.

The grant is available on any Ashwoods Hybrid Transit LCV and covers the entire extra cost of the Ashwoods system.However all orders must be placed before 31st March in order to qualify for the grant. According to Ashwoods, the LCVPP funding means its Hybrid Transit delivers a return on investment after the first 20,000 miles.

Mark Roberts, managing director of manufacturer Ashwoods Automotive, said: ‘This is a great opportunity for public sector fleets to access funding that will help cut carbon and save money. The Government funding is only there for the first 500 orders. We have a few places remaining and will fill them on a first-come, first-served basis.’

Based on the popular RWD Ford Transit, the Ashwoods Hybrid Transit is the only DfT-approved vehicle in the programme. It is available as a chassis cab, minibus or panel van. It uses a hybrid system that captures wasted energy and uses it to help the engine burn less fuel, which reduces diesel consumption by up to 25%. The van requires no charging, plugging in, or special treatment and can used for any job for which a regular van would be considered.

Ashwoods adds that it has streamlined the procurement process so it is simple, straightforward and can be completed in a matter of days. The company has also created a dedicated website, www.ashwoodshybrid.co.uk, which focuses on the benefits of switching to hybrid and explains the simple process of applying for the LCVPP subsidy.