Ford is due to deliver 507 Transit Custom vehicles to energy supplier SSE, serving its smart meter division.

The first of the Transit Customs have already hit the road, as part of SSE’s smart meter roll-out programme.

Full delivery of the 507 Customs will be completed by November and the vans will be in service across the UK.

Their arrival on the SSE fleet will increase Ford’s share of the company’s 6,000-vehicle light commercial fleet to nearly 30%.

Ford of Britain’s direct sales manager Stephen Gafson said: “This is a massive order for Ford and one which underlines the competitiveness and desirability of the Transit Custom for major companies seeking a reliable and cost-effective solution.”

SSE’s van and truck fleet manager Gemma Trew said: “We chose the Ford Transit Custom for this role for a number of reasons.

“It was not simply a question of economics – although the Transit does offer excellent whole-life costs – driver comfort and load area convenience were significant factors too.

“The Transit’s load space shape is ideal for the job.”

SSE’s Transit Customs are equipped with 2.0-litre 130PS Ford EcoBlue TDCi engine with Auto-Stop-Start technology.

They are fitted with internal storage and racking systems at Qi Van Systems of Telford, Shropshire, and liveried at Mediafleet of Witney, Oxfordshire.