Northern low carbon vehicle specialists to wow car industry

COMPANIES from across the region will be promoting their groundbreaking low carbon vehicle technologies at a special motoring event.

LCV2009, which is being held in Bedfordshire on September 9 and 10, will showcase current developments in the low carbon vehicle technology sector.

Among the Yorkshire firms invited to exhibit are Sheffield-based ITM Power, a leading technical innovator of fuel cell technologies for the hydrogen economy, Magnomatics – a Sheffield University spin-out, Magtec, another Sheffield firm specialising in electric drive systems, Leeds-based coach and bus manufacturer Optare, Huddersfield-based Cummins, which produce turbochargers for the automotive industry, and Richmond-based Silver Tip Design – and engineering and design consultancy.

Both Huddersfield and Bradford universities will also be exhibiting at the event further endorsing their reputation of being at the forefront of automotive technology.

Invitations to the event were brokered by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Attendees will benefit from an extensive seminar programme with the UK’s leading low carbon vehicle advocates such as Lord Adonis, secretary of state for transport, Andrew Palmer, senior vice president (electric vehicles) Nissan and David Smith, chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover.

The presentation programme has been designed to inform the visitors of the latest developments as well as raise awareness of upcoming funding initiatives and opportunities for both developers and user of low carbon vehicles.

Jim Farmery, assistant director of business at Yorkshire Forward, said: “This event demonstrates how our region is at the forefront of low carbon vehicle developments, even though Yorkshire and Humber is not home to large car manufacturers.

“It provides a platform for regional companies to showcase their capabilities and to promote closer collaboration with the knowledge base and with other businesses.”