Description:
ecoConnect hosts a debate on technology and investment trends in low carbon transport. LowCVP MD, Andy Eastlake, is part of the expert panel discussing Government policy initiatives, the future of the automotive supply chain and investment trends.
The UK automative industry, having undergone a renaissance in recent years, is working to respond to this challenge - carbon emissions from new cars sold in the UK have fallen by 20% since 2007 and there are a number of investment and policy initiatives in place to support further gains.
The ‘Go Ultra Low Campaign’ government initiative, widely backed by manufacturers, tackles common myths and misconceptions to encourage consumer uptake. There will be a £100 million investment in R&D in ULEV (ultra-low emission vehicles and a £32 million funding boost for charging infrastructure. The TSB has deployed a £11million investment fund in its ‘Building an automotive supply chain of the future’ competition. The UKH2 Mobility platform supports the roll out of hydrogen vehicles from 2015.
Activity levels are high but challenges remain to translate R&D and trials into recogniseable commercial pathways for consumers and the industry. In addition, the bulk of emissions reductions in the short-medium term must come from improvements in petrol/diesel vehicles.
Questions have been raised about: whether there is sufficient standardisation on metrics and outcomes to enable investors to know which technologies to back; whether multiple choices for consumers are clarifying or clouding their choices; whether policy-makers know where, when and what support is needed and can/should they be technology neutral; how fast are potential big game-changers (eg. battery technology, charging systems) actually progressing.
Debating the issues will be our expert panel, including:
Andy Eastlake, Managing Director, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
Heather Allen, Programme Director Sustainable Transport, Transport Research Laboratory
Sujith Kollamthodi, Practice Director - Sustainable Transport, Ricardo-AEA
Dr Bob Moran or Richard Bruce, Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV)
Moderated by: Alexander Reid, Senior Associate, Baker Botts LLP
Topics to be discussed include:
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Are Government policy initiatives such as the ‘Go Ultra Low’ campaign and the investment in ULEV research creating the right levels of confidence for private sector investors?
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Does investment in the sector need a more innovative approach – eg. how significant are climate bonds?
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Where will the automotive supply chain of the future come from – with so many platforms for innovation, can investors and the industry confidently pick the technology winners of the future?
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How will investment in the smart grid and issues of demand response be integrated to the rise of EV’s – can electric cars and the Grid be better connected?
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What does the UK’s future charging network look like – what is the potential for wireless (dynamic) charging?
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Battery range (and confidence) remains a key issue for electrical vehicles - what new technology is expected to emerge from current research and trials and is the UK investing enough in R&D to compete globally?