Five fleets are participating in Ford’s Transit plug-in hybrid van London Trial, which is designed to explore how lower-emission plug-in hybrid electric vans could support cleaner air targets. The fleets include the Metropolitan Police Service and a London transportation system.

The project is designed to explore how the plug-in hybrid electric vans could also boost productivity for operators in urban conditions – the toughest working environment for commercial vehicles, according to Ford.

The Metropolitan Police will participate with two Transit PHEV vans: one marked for second response to traffic accidents and one un-marked as a forensic support unit. Meanwhile, Transport for London will use three of its vans for freight duties. The other confirmed fleets include: Clancy Plant, Addison Lee, and British Gas.

The project, supported by Transport for London, features a 12-month trial of 20 new Ford Transit PHEVs that reduce local emissions by running solely on electric power for the majority of inner-city trips. The fleet is not limited by battery range, making them capable of the longer journeys, according to the automaker.

The participating fleets represent a cross-section of city-based businesses which will integrate the Ford Transit PHEV vans into their day-to-day operations.