APC welcomes report on low carbon innovation as LowCVP showcases technology

The APC today welcomed the publication of a report showing that the drive for low carbon road transport is good for the economy and good for motorists.

Eight specialist companies, dynamic innovators in low carbon road transport are being showcased at a Parliamentary event organized by the LowCVP at the House of Commons today.

The Cambridge Econometrics report ‘Fuelling Britain’s Future’, focused on the economic impact of low carbon vehicles in the UK found that by 2030 fuelling the average new low carbon car could be £600 cheaper than for the average car today. The national cost of running and replacing cars in the UK could be between £5-7 billion lower.

The researchers found that a continuing focus on cutting carbon from road transport could lead to CO2 emissions from the UK car and van fleet being cut by 47 percent by 2030, and as much as 80 percent in 2050.

The report says that improvements in the efficiency of internal combustion vehicles are already saving motorists hundreds of pounds each year. Advances in engine efficiency, lighter construction materials, more efficient tyres and the gradual introduction of electric propulsion will reduce running costs even further.

Examples of these emissions-busting, cost-cutting future technologies are being demonstrated at today’s Parliamentary reception, held by the LowCVP in collaboration with the European Climate Foundation. The event will be attended by ministers and senior officials from DfT, DECC, BIS, Treasury, Defra and the Advanced Propulsion Centre as well as leading stakeholders from industry, academia and the environmental movement.

Chief Executive of the Advanced Propulsion Centre, Tony Pixton said:

We’re very encouraged by this study and are strong supporters of innovation in low carbon propulsion systems, several of which have been presented by the LowCVP today. The Advanced Propulsion Centre has already invested in projects worth more than £180 million to turn low carbon propulsion technology into products developed and produced in the UK. More than 2,500 jobs have been secured or created through the first six projects as part of the £1 billion, ten year programme’.

The APC will be hosting a stand at the reception with the opportunity to meet the APC team.

Speakers and guests include

  • Richard Burden MP, Shadow Transport Spokesman
  • Jerry Hardcastle OBE, Global Chief Marketability Engineer, Nissan
  • Robert Goodwill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport
  • Baroness Verma, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Energy & Climate Change
  • Dr Rupert Lewis, Head of Automotive in the Department of Business Innovation and Skills

Prior to the reception there will be a seminar hosted by Alan Whitehead MP, covering the Cambridge Econometrics study to explain the report. Speakers and guests include:

  • Edmund King, President, The AA
  • Eman Martin-Vignerte, Director, Robert Bosch Ltd
  • Mick Walbank, System Planning Manager, Northern Power Grid
  • Phil Summerton, Director, Cambridge Econometrics
  • Andy Eastlake, Managing Director, the LowCVP