The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) today announced ₤25m in government funding will be allocated to the winners of the Technology Strategy Board’s (TSB) Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator competition.
Each group – comprised of manufacturers, development agencies, power companies, councils and academic institutions – will receive a share of the ₤25m with a view to producing roadworthy vehicles within six to eighteen months, each capable of achieving tailpipe emissions of less than 50g CO2/km and a zero-emission range of more than 35km.
Winning consortia include: Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrators, Electric Vehicle Accelerated Development in the North East, Ford Focus Battery Electric Vehicle, London South East Bid, MINI E Research Project, The Allied Vehicles Project (AVP), PHV and EEMS Accelerate.
The vehicles being developed range from ‘smart electric cars’ and AVP’s battery-powered vehicles to the high specification electric sports cars produced by EEMS Accelerate.
While average car CO2 emissions are down 19% since 1999, TSB’s programme further encourages manufacturers to develop environmentally-friendly vehicles, in line with government’s target of reducing carbon emissions by 26% in 2020 and 80% in 2050.
Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said of the venture: “Ultra low carbon vehicles are now mainstream business for the UK motor industry and the TSB’s competition provides the ideal incentive to develop and demonstrate new technologies.”
“This marks the beginning of an important new phase for the UK motor industry.”
