Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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Low carbon future mapped out for HGVs
A long-term strategy aimed at helping manufacturers of commercial vehicles and construction equipment move to low carbon solutions is published today (11 April 2011).
The roadmap is the first to be published in Europe with this level of detail and outlines the drivers and timescales of technology development across the sector from delivery vans to bulldozers.
These technologies include hybridisation, more efficient powertrains and alternative fuels.
The roadmap is the work of the joint industry/government Automotive Council. It will be a useful tool in determining research priorities as well as helping vehicle manufacturers and the supply chain draft long-term business plans.
Business Secretary and Co-Chair of the Automotive Council Vince Cable said: “Work on lowering carbon emissions from cars is well underway. Now we need to look at other parts of the sector and how they can help meet our long term obligations on CO 2 and air quality targets. This roadmap will help companies make the right investment choices as well as promote UK innovation and technology.”
Automotive Council Co-chair Professor Richard Parry-Jones said: “The roadmap provides a strategic focus for the UK's research and technology base to work in partnership with industry in these key sectors. As well as accelerating the pace of innovation and new product development, it will help ensure the UK maintains its position at the cutting edge of the low carbon automotive revolution.”
Notes to editors:
The Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Technology Roadmap can be found at www.automotivecouncil.co.uk.
Heavy Goods Vehicles contribute around 20 per cent of overall domestic transport greenhouse gas emissions. Research conducted by the Department for Transport (DfT) has shown that the most significant emissions savings from road freight will come from use of lower emission technologies such as hybrid and electric technologies and alternative fuels (biomethane and compressed natural gas).
The Automotive Council was set up as part of the previous government’s response to recommendations in the industry-led report from the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (NAIGT). NAIGT was chaired by Richard Parry-Jones. The Automotive Council’s main aims are to enhance the attractiveness of the UK as a location for global automotive investment, promote UK-based manufacturers and technologies, strengthen the supply chain and position the UK as a leading global player in developing, manufacturing and using ultra-low carbon technologies. See www.automotivecouncil.co.uk.
BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, video and images for download. See www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Rebecca Murrell
Phone: 020 7215 6403
Rebecca.Murrell@bis.gsi.gov.uk
