A low carbon plan for HGVs

Posted on 6 May 2011 by The Manufacturer

A long-term strategy aimed at helping manufacturers of commercial vehicles and construction equipment move to low carbon solutions has been published in conjunction with the Automotive Council UK.

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 plan 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.”

According to Automotive Council Co-chair Professor Richard Parry-Jones the roadmap will provide provides focus for the UK’s research and technology as well as the transfer of knowledge to industry. “As well as accelerating the pace of innovation and new product development,” he said, “it will help ensure the UK maintains its position at the cutting edge of the low carbon automotive revolution.”