A long-term strategy aimed at helping manufacturers of commercial vehicles and construction equipment move to low carbon solutions has been published today.

The roadmap is the first to be published in Europe with this level of detail and outlines the drivers and timescales of technology development across the sector from delivery vans to bulldozers.

These technologies include hybridisation, more efficient powertrains and alternative fuels.

The roadmap is the work of the joint industry/government Automotive Council. It will be a useful tool in determining research priorities as well as helping vehicle manufacturers and the supply chain draft long-term business plans.

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Business Secretary and Co-Chair of the Automotive Council Vince Cable said: "Work on lowering carbon emissions from cars is well underway. Now we need to look at other parts of the sector and how they can help meet our long term obligations on CO2 and air quality targets. This roadmap will help companies make the right investment choices as well as promote UK innovation and technology."

Automotive Council Co-chair Professor Richard Parry-Jones said: "The roadmap provides a strategic focus for the UK's research and technology base to work in partnership with industry in these key sectors.

"As well as accelerating the pace of innovation and new product development, it will help ensure the UK maintains its position at the cutting edge of the low carbon automotive revolution."

(BMcN/GK)