£10m funding for low carbon vehicle projects

The projects have been developed by EPSRC with the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) through the Low Carbon Vehicle Innovation Platform Integrated Delivery Programme. They will cover scientific and engineering issues related to: • hybrid electric vehicles subsystems, enabling the design of more efficient vehicles; • the use of recycled and recyclable materials for manufacturing vehicles, reducing their environmental footprint; and • optimising the performance of electric motors and power electronics. The announcement was made at the opening of a new exhibition at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to showcase UK manufactured low carbon vehicles. Mark Prisk said: "The Coalition Government is absolutely committed to low carbon growth, tackling climate change and making our energy supply more secure. "This exhibition highlights UK success as advanced manufacturers of low carbon vehicles and the £10m research grant will help ensure that the UK remains a world leader." The successful projects will be based at Loughborough, Brunel and Warwick Universities. The Low Carbon vehicle exhibition to promote UK manufacturing excellence to businesses and Government officials who visit the department will run until March 25. Exhibits include: • Hydrogen fuel cell taxi produced by Intelligent Energy • Range Rover Range_e (pictured) • Nissan Leaf • Ford Transit Connect EV • Toyota Auris • Lotus Ranger Extender Engine • Electric car battery made by Axeon • The MAHLE advanced downsizing demonstrator engine • Pod Point recharging points • Audio visual display of Leyland Truck's DAF LF Hybrid truck