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Media : Press Releases

19 March 2010
Energy Technologies Institute's £11m low carbon vehicle plan announced

Today the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) announces the start of evaluation projects in an £11 million plan which will support the future roll-out of plug-in vehicles in the UK. Three research projects due for completion in 2011 have been announced, worth £4.5 million.

Through this funding, Arup, the University of Leeds and E.ON will develop a model to analyse the economics of UK-wide electric and hybrid electric vehicle usage, and the possible carbon reductions. Two other projects will track the behaviour of users of these vehicles, and review the energy infrastructure needed to support them.

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), is the organisation tasked with developing the technologies that will help the UK meet its 2050 carbon reduction targets. Dr David Clarke, the Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Technologies Institute, said:
"Achieving these major milestones sets the ETI firmly on track to start extensive real-world testing of consumer attitudes to plug-in vehicles and the supporting infrastructure through 2010 and into 2011.

"With the Committee on Climate Change indicating in October 2009 a potential need for £1 billion of investment in vehicle price support, realising a self-sustaining mass market for plug-in vehicles is a huge challenge. By developing and robustly testing these pathways, we aim to act as a guiding light to support over £300 million of UK investment already committed to infrastructure deployment and consumer incentives for plug-in vehicles."

The ETI projects will explore options for sound system architecture to integrate plug-in vehicles, electricity networks, charging points, payment systems and ensuring compatibility across the UK and ease of use for consumers.

E.ON and Arup are already working together as part of the CABLED consortium – a one year West Midlands trial of 110 electric and hybrid electric vehicles funded by the Technology Strategy Board

Neil Butcher, Arup's project leader said: "Less than 1% of the vehicles registered every year in the UK are electric and most of these are currently used in London. By 2020, low carbon cars will be commercially viable, and it’s important that we start to understand the potential carbon reductions and economic impact of plans to use low carbon cars UK-wide is critical in preparing for this change in driving habits."

John Bateman E.ON's R&D Programme Manager said "Through this project, we will help create a greater understanding of the potential contribution of plug-in vehicles in a future lower carbon transport system. Our simulations, looking ahead as far as 2050 will enable us to predict changes in carbon emissions and costs arising from the extra electrical generation required to support plug-in vehicles."

Professor Peter Bonsall, of the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), University of Leeds:
"We are confident that our expertise in modelling dynamic systems and consumer response will make a valuable contribution towards understanding the extent to which the impact on carbon emissions depends on the nature and timing of policy interventions and on the evolving market for electric and plug in hybrid vehicles."

Anyone interested in finding out anything more about the ETI's transport programme, please e-mail transport@eti.co.uk or click to www.eti.co.uk for more details.