The Secretary of State for Transport opened the second day of the Cenex National Low Carbon Vehicle Event LCV2010 which took place at Millbrook Proving Ground on the 15th and 16th September 2010.
The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP arrived at the wheel of the Honda Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle before making his key note address and spending the morning touring the exhibition and speaking to a number of the influential vehicle and technology providers which will reshape the automotive landscape during the new coalition governments first term in office.
Mr Hammond spoke of his belief that personal transport would remain an important part of the future and alternative fuelled vehicles remained at the core of providing that personal transport in a sustainable way. He also reiterated that carbon reduction from transport was still an important aspect to the coalition government’s policies and that there will be an incentive scheme in place in 2011 for a 25% discount up to the max value of £5000 on eligible low carbon and ultra low carbon vehicles.
Mr Hammond also took the opportunity to drive the Nissan LEAF and Jaguar Limo Green, which were being demonstrated for the first time this year as part of the “Ride and Drive” and external exhibition, before departing in the hydrogen fuel cell taxi from Intelligent Energy.
Cenex LCV2010 continued its successful format of 3 distinct activities
1. An internal technology exhibition
2. An extensive speaker programme and technical seminars
3. An external exhibition and vehicle demonstration
Plus an additional feature to LCV2010 was an International Business Exchange sponsored by UKTI where visitors had the opportunity to book meetings and interact with international delegates.
This year the exhibition attracted over 1800 visitors who had the opportunity to engage in B2B activity with126 exhibitors and over 90 vehicles made available for visitors to test drive. Vehicles included the all electric taxi from Zytek and the hydrogen fuel cell taxi from Intelligent Energy as well as the Nissan LEAF, Honda Clarity, Vauxhall Ampera and Jaguar Limo Green. Visitors were treated to the luxury of being transported around the event in the latest hybrid bus from Alexander Dennis as well as the latest offerings from the two wheel protagonists, and the ingenious Raptor from Ecospin – a 3 wheel stand on trike with incredible manoeuvrability, a top speed of 40 km/h and a range of approx 80 miles.
Fleet operators and managers also had the opportunity to look at the latest light commercial vehicles from Allied, Modec, Smiths and Zeroed amongst others, a new-to-market low carbon van from RLE, and heavy goods vehicles from DAF, Iveco, Hardstaff, and Mercedes.
Over the two days of the event there were more than 40 presentations and key note addresses made from some of the most pre-eminent names in the automotive industry. Sessions in the Cenex Arena were met with eager anticipation and stimulated positive industry response from this emerging sector. The session themes included Test bed UK, Electrification of Transport, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell developments and the OEM approach to Low Carbon Vehicles. International Electric Vehicle Developments added an international dimension, with input from India, Korea and North America ending the first day in the Cenex Arena.
The Technology Dome, the latest addition to LCV, opened to standing room only when Cenex launched its
Fleet Carbon Reduction Guidance, alongside case study presentations from Coca Cola, Iveco and Royal Mail. A Regional UK capabilities session occupied the forum in the later part of the afternoon to equal interest. The Technology Strategy Board dedicated the second day in the Technology Dome to dissemination of its Low Carbon Vehicle Innovation Platform projects, followed by an Ultra Low Carbon Electric Vehicles user forum.
Post Event feedback indicated that LCV2010 was a successful event for all those involved. This year’s show has firmly defined the Cenex National Low Carbon Vehicle Event as the leading event of its type in the UK and an important platform within this emerging industry. Cenex plans to continue this successful event with LCV2011 already in development. If you would like to register your interest in LCV2011 please email
events2011@cenex.co.uk.
The presentations are currently available to view as PDFs online, the speaker sessions will also be available in MP4 format online soon.