Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has added five plug-in hybrid Kia Sportage SUVs to its fleet.

The ‘GT-Line’ Sportages have all been fitted with emergency lighting and siren systems, as well as full conspicuity markings

Purchased through the Crown Commercial Service framework, the vehicles were chosen after tests on a number of different vehicles found the Sportage offered the best mix of practicality, performance and economy to meet needs.

The ‘GT-Line’ models have all been fitted with emergency lighting and siren systems, as well as full conspicuity markings. Four have joined the service’s training fleet, which will assist with ongoing emergency response driver training. The fifth of the new arrivals will be deployed on the fleet of emergency response vehicles and will be used to attend to incidents.

The fire and rescue service covers an area of nearly 12,000 square kilometres – almost two-thirds of Wales – and attends around 255 incidents weekly on average.

Richard Owens, deputy head of fleet, engineering and logistics at MAWWFRS, said: “We’re thrilled to have introduced these vehicles into the Service’s fleet. This is yet another example of how MAWWFRS is embracing the latest technologies available in its emergency response and ambitions to reducing its impact on the planet.”

Lucy Allberry, regional business sales manager at Kia UK, added: “Dynamic looks, plenty of practical space and a great range of the latest and most efficient powertrain options are among the many strengths of the Sportage. Add to this the Sportage PHEV’s 8% Benefit-in-Kind tax class, thanks to a 43-mile electric range and low 25g/km CO2, and we feel this makes it a clear winner for fleets.”

The vehicles were supplied by Gravells Kia Bridgend, through Kia’s Business Specialist Dealer (BSD) network. Kia has a network of 31 BSDs, each with a dedicated department or staff member and their own business demonstrators, as well as access to the Kia central demonstration fleet.