Three months since the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in London, results of a year-long trial in the capital suggest that plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) commercial vehicles could present the most practical, readily available option for businesses trying to meet clean-air targets in cities. The trial—supported by a £4.7-million (US$5.9-million) grant from the UK Government-funded Advanced Propulsion Centre—consisted of 20 Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid vans ( earlier post ) covering 240,000 km (150,000 miles) over a 12-month period. The vans are driven exclusively by the electric traction motor; a combustion engine serves as a range extender. Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid van estimated CO 2 emissions are 75 g/km, with fuel-efficiency from 3.3 l/100km (71.2 mpg US). The trial sought to test whether businesses could carry out the typical daily duties of their diesel-powered vehicles, while maximizing the use of zero-emissions electric-only mode. The participants in the […]