News story

Low carbon future mapped out for HGVs

The roadmap is the first to be published in Europe with this level of detail and outlines the drivers and timescales of technology development…

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

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 CO2 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:

  1. The Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Technology Roadmap can be found at www.automotivecouncil.co.uk.

  2. 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).

  3. 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.

  4. BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, video and images for download. See www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Notes to Editors

Contact Information

Name BIS Press Office Job Title

Division COI Phone

Fax

Mobile

Email NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Name Rebecca Murrell Job Title

Division Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Phone 020 7215 6403 Fax

Mobile

Email Rebecca.Murrell@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Published 11 April 2011