The possibility of electric vans coming into mainstream fleet operation looks more likely after the Department for Transport (DfT) announced a series of trials in the UK.

The DfT has now revealed of a list of approved suppliers of low and zero carbon vehicle technology.

If successful, the trials could lead to Government funding to help persuade UK fleets to choose electric vehicles.

Three manufacturers – Modec, Smith and Allied Vehicles – are included, along with Ashwoods, which retrofits electric/diesel hybrid systems.

The launching of the list is the first phase of the DfT’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP), which aims to accelerate the use of greener light commercial vehicles.

Suppliers that submitted proposals were assessed against a range of criteria, including anticipated carbon savings, wholelife environmental impact, performance and reliability, value for money, level of innovation and technological development and credible plans for mass market commercialisation.

Trials will now take place in the fleets of partner organisations selected for their environmental track-record and fleet-greening aspirations.

These include Royal Mail, the Environment Agency, the Metropolitan Police, HMRC, Transport for London, the Government Car and Despatch Agency and six local authorities – Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle & Gateshead, Leeds, Coventry and Central London.

Vehicles will initially be trialled in limited numbers of between 100 and 150 vans.

The DfT will provide grants towards the extra cost of buying the vehicles as opposed to conventional diesel-powered models.