ETI launches £40 million heavy duty vehicle efficiency scheme14 February 2011

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is calling on heavy duty vehicle manufacturers, SMEs and academics to take part in what it believes will be one of Europe's largest HDV efficiency programmes.

£40 million of funding is available and the ETI has issued three requests for proposals (RfPs) – with HGVs, construction and agricultural equipment and shipping all in the frame, and a goal of increasing efficiency by 30%.

Dr David Clarke, CEO of the ETI, points to evidence that suggests HDVs are currently responsible for 8% of the UK's CO2 emissions. He also believes that the low carbon fuel options for replacing liquid fossil fuels for HDVs are limited.

"Given the economic, security and climate change benefits of reducing fuel consumption, there is a significant opportunity for early benefits from improved vehicles," comments Clarke, "especially as the focus of European legislation is likely to move from emissions to fuel efficiency over the period required to develop significant vehicle technology improvements."

Clarke states that findings from the feasibility study, commissioned by the ETI in 2009, have highlighted that there are "significant opportunities to accelerate vehicle technology development through investment in a range of platform technologies".

This new ETI programme, he says will look at systems integration and technology development across HDV types. The process will culminate in full-scale demonstrations, with demonstrators including improved HGV truck powertrains, and vehicles incorporating the new technologies on sale by 2020.

The deadline for the notification of intention to submit a proposal is 21 April 2011 and all proposals must be received by 13 May 2011.

Author
Brian Tinham

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The Energy Technologies Institute

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