A WATER company has announced plans to replace a third of its vehicle fleet - with majority of the new vans being partially powered by solar panels. 

Southern Water has said that it will purchase around 300 news vans and the majority will be fitted with solar panels on their roofs. 

The change will allow drivers and engineers to charge equipment while out and about – meaning they can get more done without taking trips to the company's sites.  

The new vans will be driven by operational, technical and customer teams across the South East. 

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The new vehicles will also feature safety sensors for checking van weight, all season tyres and 70mph controlled speed limiters.  

Martin Lock, fleet manager at Southern Water said: “We are replacing around a third of our fleet with new vehicles. Vans such as the Vauxhall Combo, Vivaro and Movano, plus Ford 4 x 4 Ranger pickup will replace some of our older vehicles and include the new livery.

"There are some exciting new features that include solar panels on the van’s roofs to power on board batteries, reversing cameras and on board weighing.” 

Southern Water has also purchased more than 30 new 4x4 automatic trucks, which will be used at remotes sites and for off road operational use.