DEFRA grows its Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV fleet

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is growing its fleet of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Commercial vehicles to 96 vehicles, which are taking the place of the department's diesel vans.

Having originally ordered 16 vehicles in April 2020, DEFRA increased its order by another 20 vehicles before recently upping that number by another 60 vehicles, bringing its total order of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs to 96.

While DEFRA’s goal will ultimately be to have its entire fleet fully electric, the Outlander PHEV provides an interim means of reducing its emissions and running costs.

To ensure the vehicles are used as designed, operators are required to fully charge them every evening so that even on longer journeys the combination of electric and petrol power ensures excellent fuel economy and lower emissions (especially particulates) than tradition diesel powered vehicles. Its total combined range is 372 miles, while its WLTP electric range of 28 miles make it an ideal choice for deliveries in clean air zones.

David Rodriguez, Sales & Marketing Director at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, commented, “We are very proud that DEFRA chose the Outlander PHEV Commercial for its fleet and that it has substantially increased its initial order demonstrates that used correctly, PHEVs can significantly lower any business’ carbon footprint and its running costs. While Mitsubishi Motors fully supports the move to carbon-neutral transport in the future, it has pioneered and championed the PHEV as an important transitional technology. Recent studies have shown that 70% of Outlander PHEV owners are now considering a fully electric vehicle for the next purchase, compared to just 27% of surveyed drivers of conventionally-powered Mitsubishi vehicles.”