The government has launched a £20m competition for
companies to inventlow carbon technologyfor
cars.
The
Technology Strategy Board - launched in July and sponsored by
the Department of Innovation,
Universities and Skills - and the
Department of Transport have
backed the scheme with funding, and will award money to vehicle
technologies with the clear potential to be commercially viable
within five to seven years.
The funding will be available to support projects for cars,
light commercial vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, buses and
taxis.
The government says investment will go to "innovative companies"
that are engaged in low-carbon vehicle research, and the scheme is
part of the government's
Low Carbon Transport Innovation Strategy.
Officials say tackling the growth of road transport carbon
emissions, and
meeting EU standards, are major challenges for the automotive
industry. Significant technology innovation by industry will be
required to meet these challenges, they say.
Transport Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, said, "Getting new
low-carbon vehicle technology from lab to road is vital if we are
to reduce the environmental impact of everyday travel."
The competition opened on 21 September 2007 and there will be an
information day for potential participants on 4 October 2007. The
deadline for companies to register their intention to submit an
application is 5 December.
The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive
non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its
mission is to promote and support research into technology and
innovation for the benefit of UK business.