Innovate UK to update Microlise Transport Conference delegates on UK low emission trials
Jan 29, 2018
UK agency, Innovate UK, will deliver an update on the £20 million government Low Emission Freight and Logistics Trials (LEFT) at the Microlise Transport Conference this May.
LEFT includes electric vans and trucks, as well as hydrogen dual-fuel vehicles, as part of a multi-million pound programme to cut emissions and improve air quality. Various consortia are taking part in the trials, operating these advanced technologies in real-world scenarios while capturing data.
Most of the project vehicles will be launched and operational by the time of the Microlise Transport Conference on 16th May. Venn Chesterton, Innovate UK's Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Lead, will outline the latest developments and describe what the next steps are in demonstrating how once futuristic technologies could be implemented sooner rather than later.
"Over 200 alternatively fuelled vehicles are participating in this trial," said Chesterton. "The aim is to demonstrate new technologies and to encourage the wide-spread introduction of low and zero emission vehicles to UK fleets. Significant progress will have been made by May and I hope to be able to share many interesting insights with the audience at the conference."
The Microlise Transport Conference last year attracted more than 1,200 transport professionals. The free-to-attend event, which will again take place at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry, includes a full day's programme supported by focused workshops, a sizable exhibition area and an all new innovation zone.
"We have positioned innovation at the heart of the Microlise Transport Conference agenda," said Bob Harbey, Microlise Executive Director. "With significant government policy shifts underway, including the introduction of Clean Air Zones in many urban locations, the transport industry needs to stay up to date with the latest advances, particularly those reducing emissions and minimising environmental impact."
Chesterton's main role at Innovate UK is to help companies turn technology and business model concepts into successful product and service innovations that boost the UK economy and deliver policy objectives such as improved air quality and reduced CO2 emissions. Prior to joining Innovate UK, Chesterton was the ULEV Lead at Transport Research laboratory, where he led numerous projects including helping set up LoCITY.
Past Microlise Transport Conference speakers include some of the industry's most distinguished influencers including HRH The Princess Royal, the industry's biggest transport operators, the DVSA and Transport for London.
At the conference, the Microlise Driver of the Year Awards will again celebrate the UK's most talented HGV drivers, both through analysis of more than 180,000 anonymous drivers' telematics data, and via industry nominated categories. These include HGV Hero, Lifetime Achievement, Extra Mile, Most Improved and Young Driver of the Year.
LEFT is 100% funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), with Innovate UK acting as 'delivery partner'. Microlise telematics technology is playing a part in the trials, capturing data for several consortia involved with the project.
