§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to encourage the development of(a) combined electric and petrol engine and (b) hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles. [79408]
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§ Mr. WilsonMy Department, together with DfT, DEFRA and HMT, published the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy on 31 July. This declares Government targets for the introduction of low-carbon vehicles. The strategy not only seeks to achieve environmental improvements, but to engage UK industry in the development of new technologies and products such as hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. As part of the process, my department is supporting the creation of the Low Carbon Vehicles Partnership (LowCVP), with Professor Jim Skea of the Policy Studies Institute as Launch Director.
One of the first tasks of the LowCVP will be to advise on the role and remit of a new Centre of Excellence for "Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies", to implement one of the recommendations of the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team, which reported earlier this year. My Department has announced £15 million support over 5 years for this and the other proposed Centre of Excellence on transport telematics. In addition the Department's Foresight Vehicle and Advanced Fuel Cells Programmes support the development of enabling technologies for alternative fuel vehicles.