UK companies are encouraged to compete for the chance to receive up to £15 million of government funding for research purposes to develop technology to reduce harmful emissions.
Roads minister Jesse Norman called on businesses to lead research into low emission technology for lorries, cars and vans. Projects could improve the efficiency of vehicle batteries or engines, or could see materials which make vehicles lighter.
Jesse Norman said: “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.”
The competition has been developed in conjunction with innovate UK and with the goal of seeing all new vehicles emission free by 2040, as well as helping the government to achieve status as a global leader in electric vehicle technology.
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.”
