West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has become the first emergency service in the UK to deploy hybrid van technology.

WMFS has invested in an Ashwoods Hybrid Transit from Ashwoods Automotive Ltd. The vehicle is now one of several in the organisation’s fleet of hybrid vans and cars which include the Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius and Auris models. 

Speaking about the Ashwoods van, Chris Beebee fleet manager at WMFS said: “The aim is to significantly reduce the fuel and greenhouse gas emissions, while maximising financial savings.

“It is very straightforward to use and drivers don’t have to think about plugging it in to charge up the batteries, or worry that vehicle may not have sufficient charge to complete the journey.”

West Midlands purchased the vehicle through the Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP). This initiative aims to help public sector bodies in England and Wales to procure and assess 500 Ashwoods Hybrid LCVs. The DfT provides a subsidy of £3,430 per vehicle.

Mark Roberts, managing director of Ashwoods Automotive, said: “As public sector organisations, all emergency services can benefit from attractive Government subsidies for Ashwoods Hybrid Transits.”