Investments Now Focus on Greening Up Britain's Automotive Industry

UK's Technology Strategy Board recently made it public news that, in the not-too-distant future, about ₤56 million (roughly €72 billion / $87 million) is to go in improving on the ecological footprint of the country's transport industry.

More precisely, the money will be directed towards low carbon transport projects in which automotive leaders such as Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and several smaller-scale companies will also get involved.

Thus, Business Green informs us that ₤27 million (approximately €35,5 million / $42 million) are to come from funds provided by the Technology Strategy Board and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

The remaining ₤29 million (€37 million / $45 million) will stem from private sector backing.

According to the same source, the British Transport Minister, Norman Baker, recently expressed his opinion that “Accelerating the commercialization of low carbon vehicle technologies will help to achieve our challenging climate change targets as well as creating new jobs, and increasing opportunities for UK businesses on the world stage.”

Therefore, it can be argued that this endeavor benefits from a great deal of support, both from car manufacturers and from high officials.

Should things go as planned, said money will be distributed among 17 research and development projects.

Apparently, one of these projects has to do with Wrightbus's decision to design and manufacture a hybrid bus, whose overall fuel emission would be cut down by as much as 15%.

As well as this, Jaguar Land Rover is expected to continue pushing for light-weight low energy materials.

Therefore, as one can easily guess, the end goal is that of increasing the fuel efficiency of the vehicles presently roaming UK's roads and highway.

Given the fact that the success of this investments program would not just translate into the environment's having a lot to gain, but that national driving-related costs are also bound so be considerably diminished, it is our opinion that such technologies need be designed and implemented as soon as possible.