Eco-cars receive government backing

Environmentally-friendly cars could soon be taking to the UK roads in greater numbers, thanks to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board.

A grant of £10 million has been provided for research and development into low-carbon vehicle manufacturing, addressing issues such as hybrid electric subsystems, optimising electric motor performance and the use of recycled materials in automobiles to reduce their carbon footprint.

UK models are now being exhibited at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills until March 25th, including the Toyota Auris, the Nissan Leaf, a hydrogen fuel cell taxi from Intelligent Energy and the Lotus Ranger Extender Engine.

"Our world-class science and research base is critical to promoting economic growth in emerging technologies, including low-carbon vehicles," David Willetts, universities and science minister, remarked.

However, research from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's Global Manufacturing Group suggests that widespread take-up of electric cars is a long way off, with just 16 per cent of European consumers describing themselves as "potential first movers".

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