The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust has become the first NHS foundation trust to deploy a cost- and carbon-cutting hybrid van.
The 3.5-tonne Ashwoods Hybrid Transit, used for Hospital Courier Transport, isclaimed to be 25% more efficient than a regular diesel equivalent, and is said to deliver a return on investment after 20,000 miles.
The hybrid system is entirely self-powered. It stores energy every time the vehicle slows down and then transfers it to the vehicle's wheels via an electric motor.
The trust's van has also been fitted with Ashwoods' Lightfoot driver behaviour system, which advises drivers on the most fuel-efficient way to drive.
"We are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our fleet where possible, in support of the NHS' Carbon Reduction Strategy," states David Searle, fleet manager for the RD&E.
"We are proud to be the first NHS Trust to deploy this innovative hybrid van, which not only cuts carbon but also saves us money on fuel," he adds.
