New funding put towards low-carbon car research

Date: 16/3/2011

The development of low-carbon motors in the UK has been given a boost, following the announcement that £10 million of funding is to be put towards research into this area.

Provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has revealed that the money has been earmarked for three particular projects.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said that these will include examining the scientific and engineering issues surrounding hybrid electric cars, the use of recycled materials in the manufacturing of vehicles and how electric motors can benefit from an optimised performance.

Each project has been developed by the EPSRC with the Technology Strategy Board.

The Minister noted that the projects are part of the coalition government's commitment to tackling climate change and securing the country's energy supply.

Chief Executive of the EPSRC Professor Dave Delpy said: "The provision of high-quality academic research ideas provides the basis for businesses to translate science into the vehicle market."

Meanwhile, a recent study by Deloitte claimed that mass adoption of electric vehicles in Europe is still a long way off, due to motorists' concerns about accessibility to chargers, among other issues.

Posted by Nick Anderson