Ultra low carbon vehicle demonstrator programme

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Ultra low carbon vehicle demonstrator programme

Everett, Andrew / Walsh, Chris / Smith, Katie / Burgess, Mark / Harris, Margaret

The UK's Technology Strategy Board, supported by the Department for Transport and Regional Development Agencies, has funded the world's largest multi-site demonstration trial of ultra low carbon passenger cars. The trial will allow the UK Government, vehicle manufacturers and energy suppliers to understand how people use these cars and how they feel about them. Eight consortia have gained funding and each has at least one vehicle manufacturer, an energy supplier, a local authority, infrastructure provider and a university. Each car will be driven for at least a year to ensure seasonal variations are experienced. The trial will include two separate research activities: 1. A study into the ultra low carbon vehicles actual usage patterns, including time and duration of journeys, energy used and charging location. 2. User perception. Each user will be interviewed and receive questionnaires before, during and after the trail to help understand how they feel about the vehicle and if they have needed to adapt to use it. This paper will provide details of the programme and the results of the research to date. It will also explain how this programme fits into the wider UK activities to support early market deployment of ultra low carbon vehicles.