Transport minister launches £15m call to develop technology to reduce freight emissions
Thu 21 September 2017
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Transport minister Jesse Norman MP has launched a call for a share of £15 million for research into technologies that can help cut emissions from trucks, cars and vans. The technology can include light-weighting materials or improved engine and battery efficiency. The competition has been developed with Innovate UK and supports the government’s aim to ensure all new vehicles are emissions free by 2040.
The new funding follows the earlier £20m Low Emissions Freight and Logistics Trial, which faciliated support for a range of projects aimed at tackling greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from across the freight sector. By mid-2018 more than 300 low emisison electric and hydrogen dual-fuel vehicles will be on the roads.
The minister said in a statement: "We have made important progress in lowering emissions and are always looking at further ways of improving air quality. Lorries cause a third of the UK's transport CO2 emissions and simple new technologies can have the greatest impact in reducing the harmful pollutants of freight. This funding will give UK companies the chance to lead the world in developing important innovations to improve air quality across the country."
Simon Edmonds, Director Manufacturing and Materials at Innovate UK, said: “We welcome this significant further investment in zero emission research and development funding, in particular its focus on freight and commercial vehicles as this is a major opportunity for UK companies to drive forward innovations.
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