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.
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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