Fraikin has teamed up with engine conversion specialist Alternatech to become the company’s preferred contract hire partner, offering full service contract hire packages on bi-fuel LPG-petrol vans.

Colin Melvin, sales director at Fraikin, said: “Our move into bi-fuel vans on full service contract hire means that we can offer even greater support to public sector and company fleets.

"It’s the best of all worlds for van customers – quality servicing, low operating costs, low environmental impact, and complete peace of mind.”

LPG prices are currently around half that of diesel and petrol, and Fraikin says this will increase their appeal to organisations such as local authorities, which need to keep operating costs as low as possible and minimise the impact on the environment.

Alternatech has put the first Ford Transit Courier conversions through its paces, with emissions testing at TNO in the Netherlands, demonstrating a 12.9% reduction in CO2 versus its purely petrol-powered counterpart, and 52.6% less NOX.

Will Putter, commercial director at Alternatech, said: “We’re delighted with the test results for our conversion work – it’s proof that we’ve delivered vehicles that have a reduced impact on climate change and air quality, and with a low total cost of ownership."

Fraikin is offering bi-fuel vans on a full-service contract hire package where all servicing, maintenance, administration and documentation are handled by the fleet service provider’s team.

The company can also provide a complete fuelling infrastructure at a customer’s depots and is currently making a bi-fuel Ford Transit Courier demonstrator available to fleet customers for appraisal.