New government investment announced to help improve air quality

The government is set to invest more than £12 million in the development of technology that will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions in vehicles, it was announced yesterday (January 7th).

Funds will be made available through the Technology Strategy Board, an initiative set up to stimulate technology-enabled innovation.

John Laughlin, project manager of the low carbon vehicle scheme at the organisation, commented: "This investment is part of our ongoing strategy to put the UK at the forefront of low carbon vehicle technology."

In total, 16 one-year proof of concept studies and six longer-running full research and development projects will be financed by the government and private firms involved in the work.

Areas of the research will include internal combustion engine technology, lightweight structures, energy storage and management and new propulsion technologies.

The board also announced a new wave of investment into its research relating to carbon abatement technologies, with the intention of developing methods of reducing CO2 output from power stations and other carbon-intensive industries.

Posted by Claire Manning