The LowCVP (Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership) awards were announced last night (14 September 2016) at the low-carbon industry’s networking dinner, held in association with Cenex LCV2016, in Milton Keynes.
The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project was recognised for introducing Europe’s largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses.
The project has delivered the UK’s largest hydrogen production and bus refuelling station, and bus companies report that the vehicles are extremely efficient compared to diesel equivalents.
Meanwhile, Argent Energy now manufactures 60 million litres of biodiesel from waste each year.
In 2015 the firm supplied high bio‐blend diesel to two major London bus companies, leading to greenhouse gas emission savings equivalent to 150 million miles of carbon-free travel within the first year.
The Champions Awards judging panel was comprised 22 senior executives from across a range of UK organisations with a stake in the low carbon road transport agenda.
“It’s fantastic to see another array of ground-breaking companies vying for the Low Carbon Champions Awards this year,” said Richard Bruce, director of energy, technology and innovation at the DfT (Department for Transport) and one of the awards judges.
“It’s precisely because of the synergies between environmental improvement and great commercial opportunity – synergies that the ideas and technologies here demonstrate so well – that the UK government remains so committed to this agenda.”
Alex Burns, chief executive of Millbrook, the Champions Awards headline sponsor, added: “It’s encouraging to see so many UK-based organisations committed to cutting carbon emissions and improve air quality.
“As an organisation committed to the test, validation and engineering of low carbon transport, Millbrook is proud to present the Grand Prix award jointly to H2 Aberdeen and Argent Energy.”
“The UK vehicle industry continues to push the boundaries of innovation in low carbon technology, production and operation,” commented Darren Messem, chairman of LowCVP and another Awards Judge.
“This is essential to deliver the decarbonisation of transport needed to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and to improve air quality.”
And Professor Neville Jackson, chief technology and innovation officer at Ricardo UK (another of the judges) said: “Both LowCVP and their awards have played an important part in transforming the low carbon transport sector to provide a dynamic and successful contribution to UK innovation.”
LowCVP managing director Andy Eastlake said: “All the entries short-listed for the Champions Awards deserve recognition for the contribution they are making to cutting carbon emissions from road transport.
“There is a lot of work still to be done to achieve the long-term objectives set under the Climate Change Act, but the dynamism and determination shown by so many of those involved today shows how UK industry and operators have the drive and potential to achieve them.”
Hosted by Formula E TV presenter and science communicator Nicki Shields, the event took place at the Double Tree by Hilton, MK Dons Stadium.