Wednesday, December 4, 2024
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Alternative-fuel vehicles DPS now open to public sector

Public sector procurement agency, YPO, has launched a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for the procurement of alternatively fuelled vehicles.

YPO launched the DPS to enable the large-scale purchase of alternative-fuel vehicles as part of the national shift away from petrol and diesel.

The DPS has an estimated value of £1bn, with 32 suppliers available at present.

Vehicles available for procurement from the current suppliers include electric vans, electric street sweepers, electrified refuse lorries and e-scooters.

A large portion of the vehicles available via the framework are electrically charged, and there are a selection of vehicles which run on alternative fuels such as biomethane, hydrogen, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

YPO say that operating a DPS rather than a procurement framework allows local authorities, blue light and education sectors, to acquire the latest vehicle technology as it comes to market. Greater procurement flexibility also enables public sector organisations to purchase from local suppliers where possible, keeping social value central to procurement.

Gavin Rimmington, Head of Public Sector at YPO, said: “We are pleased to have officially opened up the DPS to the public sector and are proud to be offering a compliant route for organisations to invest in alternatively fuelled vehicles on the scale that is needed to make a difference to reducing emissions in our communities.

“The range and depth of suppliers accessible through the system is excellent, and we’re proud to be able to make them so readily available to the organisations that need them.

“The DPS was designed so that positive changes can be made quickly, and so that the public sector can keep up with the national shift away from petrol and diesel, in line with technological advances in the alternative fuel industry.”

The rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market has exceeded expectations despite the impact of Covid-19, with Deloitte adjusting their forecasting last year. The projection of car sales by 2030 increased by 10 million to 31.1 million, showing clear confidence in market growth as attentions return to Net Zero ambitions.

At this milestone it is expected that fully-electric vehicles will account for 81% of all new electric vehicles sold, outperforming their plug-in hybrid peers.

Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Bus at Pelican, importers of Yutong electric buses and coaches, said: “It is fantastic news that we are a supplier on this alternatively-fuelled vehicle DPS. We are the only supplier of zero emission full-sized coaches in the UK, and our zero emission single deck buses are already the vehicle of choice for operators across England, Wales and Scotland.”

Image: Shutterstock

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