Gas utility firm National Grid (NG) has purchased five all-wheel drive (AWD) Ford Transits in chassis-cab dropside configuration, replacing Peugeot Boxers of a similar specification.
The fleet replacements form part of an existing
deal in which NG has agreed to use Ford commercial vehicles – probably totalling around 1,000 units – over the next three years.
The utility firm, which already runs 2,000 Ford Transits and 900 smaller Transit Connects, opted for the AWD models as it needs the vans to access remote sites over rough terrain. Each vehicle will carry three sky trolleys, used by engineers to travel between pylons using electricity cables.
Gary Foster, National Grid fleet operations manager, says: “The new Transits are more refined and car-like. We have tried them off-road in fairly tough conditions, and they performed very well. The AWD option in the line-up is a great addition for part off-road users like National Grid.”
In addition to the AWD Transits, the NG has also taken delivery of 37 LWB 460 versions at the end of 2008 with a further 54 expected to enter service later this year.
A spokeswoman for NG says: “Each new vehicle has been purchased outright
because it fits our business model – but more importantly, it is the most efficient method of funding for us.”
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