Invest team addresses delegates at Energy Efficient conference
Warwickshire County Council's Invest in Warwickshire team were among the exhibitors at the MIA Energy Efficient Motorsport Conference at the NEC, Birmingham.
At the event, which was attended by hundreds of delegates from national and international organisations, the team outlined Coventry & Warwickshire position as a hot-spot for low carbon vehicle research with a strong cluster of OEMs and suppliers to the sector.
Conference topics looked at trends in electrification, autonomous driving concept and how the gaming and motorsport community should work collaboratively to create an immersive experience to support a young generation of audience.
The Invest Warwickshire team shared exhibition space with electric and hybrid vehicle systems company Potenza Technology Ltd, an SME based at Charter Avenue Industrial Estate, Coventry. Further info on the event can be found here: http://www.the-mia.com/MIA-11th-International-Energy-Efficient-Motorsport-Conference-981
Meanwhile, 17 rural businesses have ditched their diesel vehicles and hooked up to all-battery electric cars and vans (EVs) after taking part in a Warwickshire Rural Electric Vehicle project (WREV).
Throughout a two-year trial, researchers from Coventry University analysed the use of the EVs, including the financial savings, driver feedback and exhaust emission savings.
In total, the fleet of 17 EVs used by businesses completed 211,934 miles over the two-years and the result was real financial benefit with one company saving £3,226 in fuel costs across the trial period.
The analysis also found that small businesses could benefit from the additional marketing opportunities gained from by using green transport solutions and the opportunity to reduce emissions and the carbon footprint.
Led by low carbon consultants Greenwatt Technology, WREV formed part of the Warwickshire Rural Growth Network, funded by Defra and delivered through Warwickshire County Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The full report and an executive summary can be found on www.wrev.org.uk
The final project event, held at Stoneleigh Park in November, included speakers from rural businesses who took part in the trial, industry experts and researchers. The event also showcased several low emission vehicles including the Nissan LEAF, eNV200 van, Tesla, BMWi3 and the hydrogen Microcab.
Mike Woollacott, project director of Greenwatt Technology, summarised the WREV project outputs: “This project has highlighted that there are many rural businesses whose driving cycles are ideally suited to the electric vehicle especially when suitable charge points are installed.
"However, our feasibility studies revealed that electric vehicles are not suitable for every situation. The WREV dissemination report has revealed just how impressed our project participants have been with the driving style and comfort of the electric cars and vans.
"Companies have listed a number of reasons why they have benefited from the WREV project – not least the grant received from Warwickshire County Council. Others include no exhaust fumes and emissions, genuine fuel savings which can be reinvested back into the business, independence from fuel station refuelling - and the sheer enjoyment of the quiet, comfortable and easy driving style of electric vehicles.”