The UK government will host the world’s first Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Summit in September this year, bringing together policy makers, industry experts and opinion formers from around globe to tackle transport-related carbon emissions and find ways to improve air quality.
Following a pledge from UK Prime Minister Theresa May at the One Planet event in Paris last December, world leaders will join industry experts, agencies, academics and financial institutions at the ZEV Summit, with the event taking place at Birmingham’s International Conference Center on September 11. The following day (September 12), the summit will continue at the UK’s Low Carbon Vehicle Show (Cenex-LCV2018) held at Millbrook Proving Grounds. Innovation and technology is at the heart of the global transition to Zero Emission Vehicles, and at the Cenex-LCV event the international delegates will be able to witness the latest environmentally friendly transport technologies, including connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), from global companies at an established fixture of the automotive industry calendar.
Through its Industrial Strategy and Automotive Sector Deal, the UK government is committed to making transport technology cleaner and greener, with a long-term mission to put the country at the forefront of the design and manufacturing of ZEVs, making all new cars and vans effectively emission-free by 2040. The ZEV Summit announcement coincides with news that ministers have confirmed the continuation of the Plug-in Car and Van Grants, further emphasizing the government’s commitment to its climate and clean air targets as part of £1.5bn (US$2bn) being spent on ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) to 2021. The government has also announced it is considering further options for reducing emissions for last-mile deliveries, to be set out by Cycling and Walking Minister Jesse Norman in a forthcoming Call for Evidence, including providing grants and/or other financial incentives to support the use of e-cargo bikes.
“The government is committed to meeting our climate change targets and cleaning up our air. This groundbreaking event shows Britain is leading the way in developing the new technology that will create new jobs and help improve the air we breathe,” explained UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. “And with a proud history in pioneering vehicle manufacturing, Birmingham is exactly the right location to showcase the innovations of the future.”
Robert Evans, CEO of Cenex, the UK’s first center of excellence for low-carbon and fuel cell technologies, said, “We are honored that the ZEV Summit will be linked to our 11th annual Cenex-LCV Event this year. The UK is at the forefront of low-carbon vehicle technology innovation and we think there is great value for the ZEV attendees to see these technologies first-hand at the exhibition. The event already attracts an international audience and provides a glimpse into the leading innovations in low-carbon automotive transport and supporting energy infrastructure technologies. This years Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Showcase, sponsored by Meridian, will also help ensure the ZEV summit attendees see the synergies between zero emission vehicles and self-driving cars.”
