First phase to focus on delivery of low carbon and all electric vans

First phase to focus on delivery of low carbon and all electric vans

London, 8 July 2008 - Cenex, the UK's Centre of Excellence in Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies, is today hosting an Information Day for potential suppliers to the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP), a major initiative from the Department for Transport.

The Programme aims to offer a significant reduction in carbon emissions over current production models for the lower carbon van, and accelerate the introduction of all-electric vans into public sector fleet operation. As the programme's delivery partner, Cenex is hosting the Information Day to provide a briefing opportunity for major vehicle manufacturers with the ability to take lower carbon and electric vehicle models into mass production, as well as smaller niche manufacturers with a proven track record in this sector to register their interest in supplying technology to the programme. Vans currently account for over an eighth of UK vehicle mileage, so successfully introducing such models into the UK van fleet has the potential to achieve substantial carbon reductions over time.

The Information Day aims to outline the low carbon vehicle procurement programme, to describe the potential market and how this will be developed, and invite suppliers to submit a PQQ for consideration by the programme team.

Making the transition from technology demonstrator to volume introduction is a well-recognised problem for new product introduction, particularly for smaller manufacturers, and this programme aims to overcome this barrier. The size of public sector fleets means that their demand for these lower carbon vehicles has the potential to have a real impact on the vehicle market. Cenex seeks to leverage this demand in order to accelerate the introduction of new technologies into the UK market, starting with lower carbon and all-electric vans, which ultimately will benefit everyone through economies of scale.

Commenting on the vital importance of the Programme, CEO of Cenex Robert Evans said: "The Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme aims to reduce carbon emissions from the UK road transport sector in the medium to long term, by accelerating the introduction of a range of new, lower carbon vehicles into the market. This will directly contribute to the DfT's climate change goals, as well as the government's commitment to sustainable procurement."

Adrian Vinsome, Cenex's Programme Manager for the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme, added: "The Programme will operate in two phases. In the first phase, a limited number of demonstration vehicles will be trialled in selected UK public sector organisations. In the second phase, it is anticipated that significantly larger volumes of vehicles will be supplied to a wider range of public sector organisations for long-term use."

Cenex will play a key role in establishing public sector demand for lower carbon vehicles and will assist vehicle manufacturers in developing tenders to supply them. A framework agreement will be developed for the supply of vehicles, initially for use by the public sector partners to the programme, but extending to other government departments and their agencies, Local Authorities, NHS Bodies, Police and Emergency Services, Educational Establishments and Utilities in the second phase.

Vehicle manufacturers interested in submitting a PQQ to participate in the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme but were unable to attend the Information Day should visit: www.lcvpp.org.uk. PQQ submissions must be made to the Department of Transport by 12th September 2008.