SMMT Foresight Vehicle will play a central role in cutting carbon dioxide emissions and other harmful pollutants from road transport. That was the message, delivered today by SMMT president Tod Evans, at the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) conference in Gaydon.
Set up to win grants and manage the latest R&D projects in the automotive sector, SMMT Foresight Vehicle has already supported more than 100 initiatives. The list includes many that promise to cut vehicle weight, emissions and fuel consumption such as:
- 2/4 SIGHT – A prototype engine which can switch automatically from two to four stroke operation, boosting vehicle performance while cutting CO2 output.
- MIHPOW – A hybrid truck, promising zero pollution during urban delivery, as well as better fuel consumption and lower operating costs.
- GASPART – A prototype pollution control technology to trap and destroy nano-sized particulate emissions.
- APPLE – The development of a strong, lightweight and easy-to-recycle chassis made of plastic.
‘Technology is one of the three pillars of the EU carbon dioxide emission reduction strategy’, commented Foresight Vehicle director Nick Barter at the LowCVP conference. ‘Our team of experienced engineers is working to support many projects that will help deliver these and wider pollution reduction objectives. However, it is also important to stress that Foresight-led projects are helping the UK take a lead in global R&D, giving companies based here a real competitive advantage.’
The LowCVP conference was run with the launch of the Heritage Motor Centre’s Green by Design exhibition of past and future green developments in road transport. The conference included a keynote address by Alistair Darling MP, Secretary of State for Transport, and featured a display of clean vehicles and technologies.
A complete list and summary of projects which have been helped by SMMT Foresight Vehicle can be found on http://www.foresightvehicle.org.uk/
