LPG Vans and Hybrid Vehicles

Low carbon vehicle specialist Ashwoods Automotive is the exclusive supplier into Phase Two of the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme, administered by OLEV, the Office for Low Emission Vehicles. It is the UK’s largest programme for low carbon commercial vehicles.

• 500 Ashwoods Hybrid Transits available
• Includes Panel vans, Dropsides, Tippers, Chassis cabs and other variants
• £1.7m available in purchasing subsidies from OLEV
• Any Public Sector body can purchase the vehicles from exclusive framework and receive Grant
• Vehicles must be ordered by 31st March 2012
• Ashwoods taking orders on a first come, first served basis

UP TO 500 low carbon light commercial vehicles from Ashwoods Automotive will be deployed this year for a major UK Government programme. Transport Minister Norman Baker explained; “We need to work hard to reduce emissions from all sectors of transport and the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme plays an essential role. This funding of up to £1.7m will mean a further 500 low carbon vans can be purchased by public fleet buyers.”

Phase Two of the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP) offers Ashwoods Hybrid Transit Panel vans, Chassis Cabs, Dropsides and Tippers to the public sector with a grant subsidy to cover the price differential. The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has allocated £1.7m to pay the difference between up to 500 Ashwoods Hybrid vehicles and the equivalent standard diesel vehicle. The innovative hybrid system reduces fuel consumption by up to 20%, and thanks to the grant, fleets will immediately save money on fuel and reduce emissions.

Based on 20,000 miles per annum and current fuel prices, deploying 500 Ashwoods Hybrid Transits would save the public purse £1.4m and lower carbon emissions by 1,072 tonnes over three years.

Mark Roberts, Managing Director of Ashwoods Automotive, said: “This is a huge opportunity for local authorities, NHS trusts and other public bodies to lower fuel bills and meet their targets to cut their carbon emissions.

Any public sector body can apply for the subsidy. The deadline to access the funding is 31st March 2012. There is no limit on how many vehicles each organisation can order – and Ashwoods will take orders on a strictly first come, first served basis.”

Phase One of LCVPP saw almost 200 hybrid and all-electric vans delivered to a range of councils, Government agencies and universities. Out of the four suppliers in Phase One, only Ashwoods qualified for Phase Two. Phase One was restricted to panel vans. For Phase Two, fleets can benefit from Ashwoods’ hybrid technology on any rear-wheel-drive Ford Transit, including Chassis Cabs, Dropsides and Tippers.

Norman Baker, Transport Minister said: “In order for fleets to make the shift to low carbon vehicles, the technology must be practical, cost-effective, scalable and reliable. Ashwoods met all these criteria in Phase One of the programme and we are delighted to move forward with them into Phase Two.”

Ben Bradshaw MP said “This is an excellent opportunity for Ashwoods and a testament to their reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative automotive development houses. This contract proves that investing and developing in low carbon pioneering technology is the future and I am delighted they are part of Devon’s emerging and growing low carbon businesses”.

The Ashwoods Hybrid Transit is Britain’s best selling hybrid LCV. The hybrid technology system recovers energy normally lost during braking and deceleration. A battery stores the energy before an electric motor redirects it to the rear wheels – making the vans extremely efficient. Because the hybrid system is entirely self powered, the vans never need to be plugged in for a battery charge. And unlike pure electric vehicles, hybrids are not restricted to low mileage duties.

 Low carbon technology company Ashwoods Automotive has secured £2.6 million of private equity funding in a deal that should see its headcount grow by 20 per cent.

The Exeter-based business is seeking to grow its market share in the production of components for hybrid and electric vehicles.

The investment, which has come from unnamed individuals with a background in the automotive sector, sees Jeremy Ellison join the firm’s board as finance director.

The funding will be invested in developing new products and services, in particular in recruiting skilled staff to help the business develop new lines for electric and hybrid vehicles.

It is estimated that the firm’s current 25 strong workforce will grow by 20 per cent.

Managing director Mark Roberts said: “We are delighted to have completed this deal as it sets us up to deliver our growth plan. The investment will accelerate the commercialisation of our development portfolio and our expansion into new markets, as well as allowing us to build on our success to date in the hybrid vehicle market.”

The company, which won the prize for Innovation of the Year at the recent Western Morning News Business Awards, has already developed a hybrid drive system which combines diesel and electric power to achieve its environmental objectives without impacting on the residual value of a vehicle.

During tests by CENEX – the UK’s first centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies – the Ashwoods hybrid reduced CO2 emissions and fuel costs by between 15 and 25 per cent and, in the urban drive cycle, by as much as 33 per cent.

Ashwoods has already supplied more than 200 hybrid vans to the country’s largest commercial fleets and has a further 500 vehicle ordered for 2012.

The company has also developed a range of hybrid and electric supply chain components including electric motors, battery management systems and battery modules.

Its product development has previously been supported by the Government’s Technology Strategy Board.

John Laughlin, the TSB’s low-carbon-vehicles programme manager, said: “We have been impressed with Ashwoods’ growth over recent years and are delighted to see their hard work and innovation being rewarded.”

The funding deal saw the firm advised by private equity specialist Matt Stoate, from Foot Anstey.

Mr Ellison said: “The structuring of this deal required a private equity specialist and we were delighted to be able to work with an experienced South West based solicitor in Matt Stoate, who understands the needs of these types of transactions.”

 Ashwoods is celebrating after coming runner up at SMMT’s second annual award designed to showcase the importance of R&D and the role the UK plays in developing global automotive products, beating off stiff competition from companies across the car, commercial vehicle and supply chain sectors.

 Ralph Hosier, SMMT judge , engineer and motoring journalist  commenting on the shortlist of six said, “The level of detail people had to go into to make their systems work was very impressive. Because they couldn’t find anything off the shelf that would actually work for them they created something that would.  The ingenuity in the detail was quite amazing”.

 The award, sponsored by GKN Driveline, was presented to JLR’s Chief Engineer, Hybrids, Peter Richings at SMMT’s Annual Dinner by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker and Rob Rickell, Global Engineering Director, GKN. 

 Commenting on the announcement, Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive and chair of the five-strong judging panel said, “The awards clearly demonstrates industry’s commitment to lowering vehicle emissions and creating exciting products for demanding consumers. They champion industry innovation – promoting cutting-edge automotive engineering and design that the UK is famed for around the world.”

 Sponsor of this year’s Award, GKN Driveline’s Engineering Director, Rob Rickell said, “GKN Driveline is once again proud to sponsor the award. As a UK company, we recognise that research and development of technology will result in innovative solutions satisfying our society’s demanding and ever evolving needs. By doing this successfully, we and others will have a positive impact on the environment, the communities and the economies in which we all operate. The finalists tonight demonstrate fine examples of developments that embody that spirit.”

 On presenting the Award, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker, spoke about the importance of recognising innovation within the UK’s automotive sector, adding that a collaborative approach across the commercial, business and government sectors was essential in encouraging new technologies and products to market. 

 This year’s Award was judged by a panel of senior industry figures, including Dave Salt, Chief Engineer, GKN Driveline, Ralph Hosier, Engineer and Motoring Journalist and Jon Beasley, Group Technology Officer, GKN.

Ashwoods Hybrid Drive Sytem won the Innovation catagory at the first Western Morning News Business Awards. The prize was one of 14 handed out at an event at St Mellion International which celebrated the best businesses in the Westcountry.

WMN editor Alan Qualtrough said, “The aim of our awards was to celebrate the Westcountry’s business talent and innovation and all the winners should feel very proud of their achievements.”

Ashwoods Head of Marketing Victoria Davison said, “We are delighted to have been recognised for our innovation and as an Exeter based business be among the growing business community demonstrating excellence in the South West”.

Main sponsor was South West Water with Coutts, Viridor, Plymouth University, Brewin Dolphin, Gregory Distribution, Foot Anstey, KPMG, Bond Pearce, RBS and First Great Western.

 Leaders in the drive to cut carbon emissions from road transport have been announced at a prestigious ceremony in London and Ashwoods joined their ranks in the 2011 ‘Low Carbon Innovation by an SME’ in second place.

 The LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards recognise best practice in key areas from vehicle manufacturing and fleet operation to the development of products and services that reduce greenhouse gases from road transport operations. The winners were announced at the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) Gala Reception, held at One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, at an event held in association with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

 Tony Juniper, independent environmental adviser and writer and former Executive Director of Friends of the Earth said: “It’s all too easy to take a backseat on this agenda. We need much more leadership. The winners of these LowCVP Awards have demonstrated leadership in their various fields; we need more individuals and organisations like them.”

 Greg Archer, Managing Director of the LowCVP, said: “These Awards recognise best practice and innovation, highlighting leadership in accelerating the shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels. “The number and quality of entries was even higher than last year which shows the level of energy and enthusiasm that exists to create new markets for lower carbon vehicles.”

Philippa Oldham, Head of Transport at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: “The shift to low carbon vehicles has the potential to be the greatest automotive development since the internal combustion engine. However for this to happen we need innovative, forward thinking businesses to drive progress.

“That’s why it’s so important that we recognise, through these awards, those British businesses that are building a low carbon vehicle industry in this country, helping to put the UK at the very forefront of this next technological revolution.”

The Awards are accredited by the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) which means they meet a robust set of criteria and by doing so demonstrate high quality and validity. In a rigorous judging process – involving 28 senior individuals from across the range of organisations with a stake in this agenda ‐ a total of 44 companies and organisations madethe Awards shortlist.

The winner of the prestigious overall award was Nissan GB. In making the award the judges said that Nissan has been at the forefront of EV and battery technology development and its efforts have culminated in the launch of the ground ‐breaking fully electric Nissan LEAF in

March 2011.

Ashwoods Automotive has held its ranking as one of the fastest growing companies in the European clean technologies sector.  

Cleantech Connect 2011, recognizes Europe’s rising stars within the Clean Technology industry and Ashwoods Automotive are proud to again be listed in the top 25 League Tables.

Ashwoods won no less than three catagories at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Innovation Awards at the black-tie awards ceremony held last night. Ashwoods Hybrid Drive System won awards in the Power / Energy, Sustainability and Transport categories.

Demonstrating an innovation that not only has a significant impact on society but a financial impact at a business level, the Ashwoods Hybrid Drive System works by taking wasted energy from braking and decelerating and storing it to be used to assist vehicles when required. Designed as an alternative over low range, high cost Electrical Vehicles, the Ashwoods Hybrid Drive System is fully commercialised and used by over 35 companies including Royal Mail, BT, Transport for London (TFL) and NHS.  Funding from the Technology Strategy Board has been instrumental for Ashwoods to develop their hybrid technologies and expand their product portfolio.

 The IET Innovation Awards recognise the most creative companies operating within a wide variety of engineering and technology disciplines, with 15 categories including asset management, telecommunications and product design. 

Upon receiving the award, Martin Kadhim, Business Development, Ashwoods Automotive said, “To even have been nominated in categories with some of these fantastic companies is a real honour. We’ve tirelessly developed our technologies for commercial purposes, not just for innovation’s sake, we’ve taken this product from innovation to commercialisation and it’s great to be recognised in this way.”

Attracting a record 420 entries from around the globe, the awards provide industry innovators a unique opportunity to demonstrate their skill and imagination as they tackle their own local, economic and social challenges.

The awards culminated in a glittering awards ceremony last night at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London, hosted by actor, writer and presenter, Robert Llewellyn. The Awards were sponsored by ABB, Altran Praxis, D Young and Co, Lloyd’s Register, Mathworks, National Grid, NPL and Withers and Rogers.

Ashwoods has won the Technology Award in the 2010 Van Fleet World Honours. The trophy was presented at a special ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall on Tuesday 18^th May.

The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.

The judging panel is chaired by Steve Moody, Editor of Fleet World, and includes Ken Rogers, Natalie Wallis, John Kendall and Ross Durkin from the Fleet World editorial team. Residual value, maintenance cost and reliability data is provided by ALD Automotive, Masterlease, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions and ING Car Lease. Market value data is provided by EurotaxGlass and CDL Vehicle Information Services.

Submissions for the Fleet Manager Awards are received from the Energy Saving Trust, RoadSafe and the Institute for Car Fleet Management.

Van Fleet World Editor, John Kendall, said: ‘Four companies were named as approved suppliers to the first phase of the Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme in mid 2009. The first phase involves a trial of more than 100 “low carbon” and electric vans. The only successful “low carbon” bidder was Ashwoods, whose bolt-on hybrid conversion recorded carbon dioxide reductions better than 14 per cent in independent tests.

‘At a time when organisations cannot afford to ignore either the cost of running a fleet – or its impact on the environment – innovations such as this represent a genuine step forward in vehicle technology and offer fleet managers the opportunity to make a real difference in their way of operating.’

Commenting on the high standard of entries to this year’s awards, Fleet World Managing Editor, Ross Durkin, said: ‘The fleet industry is emerging from a period of economic uncertainty in a very strong shape indeed. As well as the impressive list of new cars and vans that have recently come to market, we have also seen tremendous innovation and investment from the fleet services sector. Anyone looking in on the fleet industry from the outside world could not fail to be impressed with how well it has put its house in order, despite the recent economic downturn.’

Ashwoods Automotive has been awarded a 3-year Technology Strategy Board (TSB) funded £1.8 million Research and Development project. The high-profile consortium will be lead by Ashwoods and joined by Citroen UK, Sevcon and LifeBATT, with the purpose of developing advanced scalable hybrid and electric power train systems. Read about Ashwoods hybrid development projects here

Ashwoods has been selected as the sole supplier of over 100 hybrid vans to the Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicles Procurement Programme (LCVPP), run by Cenex. These vehicles are being supplied to the largest Public Sector fleets throughout the UK, including Royal Mail, the Environment Agency, UK Border Agency and a number of large council fleets.