The view from Westminster – political roundup

Low Carbon Vehicle development receives Government funding.

Sixteen new projects are to receive a share of £23 million of Government funding, and the development of low carbon vehicles is one of them. In fact, the new eco cars could be on the UK roads within five to seven years.

The total investment is from the Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Transport through the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform. It aims to assist companies to take forward research, development and demonstration projects in the UK.

Also, the Technology Strategy Board yesterday announced its intention to launch the ‘Autumn 2008 a Low Carbon Vehicles Integrated Delivery Programme’ which will receive a further £70 million of government investment.

Eco cars on the road sooner

This programme will coordinate low carbon vehicle activity from initial research through to future procurement opportunities, speeding up the time it takes to get low carbon vehicle technologies into the market place.

Commenting on yesterday’s announcements, Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson said: "These investments will provide a great opportunity for British companies to mobilise innovation to respond to global climate change challenges and to meet demanding new CO2 standards for new vehicles. They will also help position British companies to benefit from the growing domestic and international demand for lower carbon vehicles."

Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick added: "Developing cleaner and more efficient vehicles is vitally important in our efforts to combat climate change. Road transport contributes heavily to the UK's total emissions, which is why we are investing in low-carbon technology through the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform. I hope that this will stimulate further growth in the market and that low carbon vehicles will soon be a common sight on our roads, so that we can continue to push forward reductions in carbon emissions"

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