by News Editor | Aug 28, 2019 | News
News Editor Zero Carbon Futures is delighted to announce that we will be hosting the public sector stage at the forthcoming AutomotiveEV conference. The event, which takes place at the University of Warwick on 8 October, is aimed specifically at local authorities and public bodies to help them to gain some practical insight into ways to develop an e-mobility strategy and gain a better understanding of the EV world and the steps that they can take to tackle emissions. Local authorities are under pressure to reduce emissions and improve air quality and the event will cover the role that electric vehicles play in forming part of the solution. The Public Sector Stage will be hosted by our very own Dr Colin Herron and joining him will be a range of knowledgeable speakers from across the UK who will share their experiences of working on EV projects. Speakers will be attending from organisations including Dundee City Council, Oxford City Council, Nottingham Council and the North East Go Ultra Low team. The day will touch on some of the myths, misconceptions and hype surrounding electric vehicles and help delegates to pave the way to make informed decisions on the way forward to help clean up transport in their areas. Zero Carbon Futures has been advising local and regional authorities to prepare for the introduction of electric vehicles for the last ten years. Most recently the team has been advising Transport for London on their electric vehicle delivery plan. The team have also worked with names such as Transport for Greater Manchester, Staffordshire Council, Cardiff Council and Milton Keynes. Find out more...
by News Editor | Jun 8, 2018 | News
News Editor Zero Carbon Futures’ Managing Director, Dr Colin Herron has been awarded a CBE for services to Business and Energy in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Dr Herron, who has worked in the automotive industry for over 45 years, has become a leading advocate for the UK’s shift to low carbon transport. Over the last ten years, he has worked tirelessly to support the UK’s transition to electric cars. Not only has he worked closely with UK Government to help meet their ambitions, he has also ensured that the North East is recognised as an important region for the manufacture, research and development of this new technology. He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive this honour. The North East has always had a strong reputation in the automotive sector and it has been phenomenal to play a role in the industry at a time in which it is undertaking one of the greatest transformations in its history. To be recognised in this way for my work is a privilege.” Following a 17 year career at Nissan, where he took on several roles in quality, new product development and supplier support, Colin moved to the former regional development agency, One North East. It was there that he worked closely with Nissan to help to secure the production of the Nissan LEAF as well as running a project for the region to become a test-bed for electric vehicle charge points. It was when One North East announced its closure that Colin turned his efforts towards making sure that this work could continue and in 2011 he set up Zero...
by News Editor | Mar 27, 2018 | News
News Editor A comprehensive training programme in battery technology aims to boost skills in electric vehicle technology and support UK manufacturers to remain at the forefront of EV development. The training, which has been developed by Zero Carbon Futures in partnership with Nissan, is just one of the successful outputs of an APC research project into High Energy Density Batteries. The APC programme, which enabled Nissan to produce high density battery technology for the new LEAF, brought together additional partners Hyperdrive, the University of Newcastle, Warwick Manufacturing Group. During the two years of the programme, trainers at Zero Carbon Futures were given unprecedented access to new processes around battery development at the Nissan plant. The result is a skills and training programme which has been developed with real-life experience of every stage of the process and aims to boost vital skills in battery technology, manufacturing processes and design. Although created to support existing and new staff at Nissan, the course has also been developed as open-access for the whole industry. The six unit training course covers areas including working and operating in a clean room environment; health and safety; battery and cell technology; system design; maintenance and installing and commissioning legislation. “The initial objective for the development of the modules was to train battery operatives at the Nissan plant and grow their skills, knowledge and understanding of EV battery manufacture. However we also see that there is also an opportunity for the training programme to support others working in this field, helping to grow skills necessary for the continuing growth of the industry, in line with government initiatives such...
by News Editor | Feb 25, 2018 | News
News Editor Zero Carbon Futures is delighted to be co-hosting the Open Energy Forum this April at Newcastle University. Thu 12 April 2018, 17:30 – 19:00 Join leading industry commentators as they give an overview on: The state of the climate and what the body of research is saying The current UK power picture and what needs to be done The transition of over 30m vehicles off fossil fuels and what that means. Speakers Dr David Golding CBE: Climate change campaigner. Professor Phil Taylor: Director of the EPSRC National Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI), and Siemens Professor of Energy Systems. An International leading researcher and industrial expert in energy systems, electrical distribution networks, smart grids, and energy storage integration and control. Dr Colin Herron: Managing Director of Zero Carbon Futures, Visiting Professor (Transport). Specialist in all aspects of alternative fuel vehicles and grid integration. Event Sponsors: Chargemaster, Square One Law, Newcastle University and Zero Carbon Futures. All proceeds from this event will be donated to a project Dr Colin Herron is supporting which will see solar panels being installed on the roof of a looked after children’s house being constructed in Bogota. Colin will be travelling to Bogota and will be helping to build the house in July. Register here for free tickets GET IN...
by News Editor | Feb 22, 2018 | News
News Editor Partners celebrate the successful completion of the High Energy Density Battery project. APC project powers Nissan LEAF and develops the UK supply chain UK research project enables production of 40kWh battery for the new Nissan LEAF New high energy density cells to be used by Hyperdrive in custom battery modules Project learnings to help train next generation of UK battery engineers A UK research programme, funded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), has enabled Nissan to produce high density battery technology for the new LEAF, as well as help strengthen the electrified supply chain capability in the UK. The project, which completed in February 2018, saw Nissan collaborate with Hyperdrive, the University of Newcastle, Warwick Manufacturing Group and Zero Carbon Futures to develop a new manufacturing process at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, which allows the carmaker to produce 40kWh battery cells in the UK and for European markets. The batteries, which are already being fitted to the new Nissan LEAF, improve the vehicle’s range and reduce production costs. The facility is the first major producer of the new high energy density batteries in the UK and is currently the largest in Europe. Hyperdrive, which utilises Nissan’s UK-manufactured battery cells in low volume highly-customised non-automotive applications, has also installed its own pilot line to produce prototype battery modules using the 40kWh cell. Hyperdrive is the first SME to be supplied Nissan’s UK-produced battery cells, and will now integrate them into its latest products. Before the APC-funded project, the company was importing 40kWh cells from South Korea. The University of Newcastle, Warwick Manufacturing Group and Zero Carbon Futures were all...
by News Editor | Aug 9, 2017 | News
News Editor Electric vehicle drivers can now drive from the UK through France and into Belgium or as far as Italy as part of a European Union project to extend the charging network. Six new rapid charge points have recently been installed in the UK on Ecotricity’s Electric Highway network as part of the UNIT-E project which is joining the UK with France via Folkestone and Calais. The project, co-ordinated by EDF in France and project managed by Zero Carbon Futures in the UK, aims to make cross-border electric vehicle driving a reality by linking already existing networks in France and the UK. The project builds on the relationship between the two organisations established through the European Union’s TEN-T project which supported the large-scale roll-out of rapid charge networks during 2015. In total, 38 new multi-standard, interoperable charge points will be rolled out across Belgium, France, Italy and the UK by the end of 2017 strengthening the network for electric vehicle drivers by making cross-border travel an option. The six UK charge points have been installed at Clackett Lane, Watford Gap, Toddington and Folkestone services covering the M1, M25 and M20. The new charge points complement those installed as part of two previous European Union funded projects – the Rapid Charge Network in the UK and CORRI-DOOR in France. A Nissan spokesperson, said: “The UNIT-E project set out to identify and fill gaps in the existing European charging network to support drivers to make seamless electric journeys. This project makes it feasible for an electric car driver to travel from Scotland to Genoa in Italy or Brussels in Belgium using...
by News Editor | Jul 19, 2017 | News
News Editor The impending purchase of North East low-carbon vehicle company Sevcon by a $9bn US automotive giant testifies to the growing global momentum behind electric vehicles, as Peter McCusker reports. The Journal, 19 July 2017. Earlier this month carmaker Volvo said all new models would be partially or completely battery-powered from 2019, and the French said they will outlaw sales of all petrol and diesel cars by 2040. Last week analysis from Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicted that by this date 54% of all new vehicles sold – and 33% of the total global fleet – would be all electric. The magnitude of this proposed generational global shift is evidenced with just 100,000 of the UK’s 26m car fleet currently electric. Although this is starting to rise; in the first six months of 2017 new electric registrations totalled more than 22,000 – 15% ahead of last year. The leading brand in the UK market is the Nissan Leaf, which accounts for over half of all new UK electric vehicles (EVs), with cars and batteries being made in Sunderland. Gareth Dunsmore, EV Director for Nissan Europe said it welcomed recent developments. He said: “By 2020, where the market conditions are right, I’m confident we’ll be selling up to 20 percent of our volume as zero emissions vehicles and this will only grow.” Gateshead’s Sevcon developed its first controller for the electric motor in the 1960s with most of its initial applications targeted at industrial and light commercial work such as fork-life trucks and milk floats. Under president and chief executive officer Matt Boyle, it set its stall put to become a leading...
by News Editor | Jan 2, 2017 | News
News Editor Electric Vehicle consultancy, Zero Carbon Futures, has been appointed as project manager to Milton Keynes Council to support the delivery of their Go Ultra Low City programme. The appointment follows the announcement last year that Milton Keynes has been awarded £9 million from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles’ Go Ultra Low City Scheme. The funding is to support the city to become a showcase of what can be done to encourage the uptake of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles. Following a competitive tender process, Zero Carbon Futures has been commissioned to oversee the project’s key strands including the EV Experience Centre, EV charge point infrastructure and innovation as well as work on the Highways to support the programme. Brian Matthews, Head of Transport Innovation, at Milton Keynes Council, said: “We had a number of exceptionally strong tender submissions for the project management contract however Zero Carbon Futures’ expertise and knowledge of the industry really stood out. The company will be a critical friend for the project throughout its five years.” Zero Carbon Futures has been involved in a number of high profile electric vehicle projects such as the Rapid Charge Network, Plugged in Places and My Electric Avenue and has overseen the development of charge point networks across the UK including at motorway service stations. The company has also developed a number of electric vehicle marketing and promotional campaigns to encourage residents and businesses to consider making the switch to electric. Dr Colin Herron, Managing Director at Zero Carbon Futures, said: “Milton Keynes put forward an exceptionally strong bid to become a Go Ultra Low City and we are...
by News Editor | Mar 22, 2016 | News
News Editor The North East LEP has welcomed two new members to its Innovation Board, which is responsible for driving innovation and economic growth in the North East. Dr Colin Herron, Managing Director of Zero Carbon Futures and Tony Ikwue, Director of Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Sunderland, are the newest members of the board, which is comprised of The board is chaired by Professor Roy Sandbach, the North East LEP’s innovation champion. Professor Roy Sandbach said: “Innovation is a vital part of the North East LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan which ultimately aims to create more and better jobs for the region. It’s a pleasure to welcome two new members to the Innovation Board, who are ideally placed to join us in driving innovation within the North East business community.” Colin Herron is Managing Director of Zero Carbon Futures, the North East-based electric vehicle consultancy organisation responsible for delivering projects which helps towns, cities and countries adapt to the introduction of low carbon vehicles. Colin joins the Board as a representative of the North East Automotive Alliance and to support the North East LEP’s smart spec area of the development and adoption of electric vehicles. Colin said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to join the LEP on the Innovation Board to represent the automotive industry. “The automotive industry has grown to become a cornerstone of the North East economy and it is still growing at an incredible rate. We are seeing unprecedented innovation taking place with the launch of new products such as the Nissan Leaf, as well as technologies and ideas that will change the face of...
by News Editor | Mar 1, 2016 | News
News Editor The results and findings from the Rapid Charge Network project are now available following the completion of the new 1,100km charging network installed across the British Isles through the Rapid Charge Network. At its extremities, the European Union and vehicle manufacturer-funded network stretches from Stranraer in Scotland to Suffolk in the East of England, from Hull in Yorkshire to Holyhead in north-west Wales, connecting with Belfast in Northern Ireland and Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. The overall aim of the project was to develop the electric vehicle marketplace in the UK by not only providing a charging network that allows drivers to drive further, more quickly but also by studying the impact of the creation of the network of a multi-standard, interoperable, rapid charge network. Olivier Paturet, Zero Emission Strategy, Nissan Europe, said: “The Rapid Charge Network is the backbone of a UK-wide electric vehicle infrastructure. Now motorists can go further, faster in their EVs, we’re confident our network will accelerate awareness and uptake of these vehicles by consumers and businesses across the country.” According to a study commissioned by the project undertaken by Newcastle University, 68% of drivers said that they would not have bought their electric vehicle without the availability of rapid charge points and over 90% of those surveyed said that the availability of rapid charging increased their likelihood of purchasing an EV as their next vehicle. The research also showed that 72% of EV drivers are motivated to use rapid chargers to extend their vehicle’s range for longer journeys. The new Rapid Charge Network was conceived and implemented by Zero Carbon Futures...
by News Editor | Feb 17, 2016 | News
News Editor Zero Carbon Futures’ Managing Director, Dr Colin Herron, has been appointed onto the IET’s Manufacturing Policy Panel to act in an advisory role on UK manufacturing policy issues and provide guidance to government. The panel is made up of high profile representatives from large and small manufacturing companies, manufacturing academia and related organisations. As a qualified Mechanical Engineer with a MSc in Manufacturing Management and Technology and a PhD researching transferability of Japanese manufacturing techniques, Dr Herron brings over 40 years’ experience in the manufacturing sector and has extensive experience in industry, government and education working in both the public and private sector. After spending 17 years at Nissan, where he worked in the Quality and Production Engineering departments as well as the Supplier Development Team, Dr Herron joined the Regional Development Agency to oversee the region’s manufacturing and productivity programmes and represented the North East region nationally on manufacturing matters. He is now Managing Director for low carbon vehicle consultancy, Zero Carbon Futures. Dr Herron, said: “It is an honour to be invited to join the IET’s Manufacturing Policy Panel to sit alongside esteemed individuals to provide strategic advice and responses to Government on manufacturing policy. I hope that the industry knowledge that I will bring to the group, in particular in new innovations in the automotive industry, will support the IET’s activity and I look forward to some healthy debates.” Sahar Danesh, IET Principal Policy Advisor for Manufacturing, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Dr Herron to the IET Manufacturing Policy Panel. Dr Herron brings with him a wealth of expertise which will prove invaluable as...
by News Editor | Jan 25, 2016 | News
News Editor A new type of filling station will soon appear on the roadsides in Sunderland and Newcastle – with rapid electric chargers in place of petrol pumps. The North East Combined Authority has been awarded £1.5million ‘Go Ultra Low’ development funding to help take forward the plans for new electric filling stations on the Science Central development in Newcastle and on the A19 on the outskirts of Sunderland. Each filling station would feature 6-8 rapid chargers which top up electric vehicles in 15-20 minutes – rather than the eight hours it takes for a standard charger. An onsite café would provide a comfortable waiting area for drivers. NECA made a bid to Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s (OLEV) £40million Go Ultra Low Scheme in October last year and the results were announced today. NECA did not receive one of the top four Go Ultra Low City awards of around £10m, but is one of four bidders to receive development funding. The scheme is designed to reward the cities that demonstrate the most potential to become internationally outstanding examples for the adoption of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles. Officials will now use the award to lever in further funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to take forward plans for electric filling stations and other ‘ultra low vehicle’ projects across the North East. NECA’s Regional Transport Portfolio Holder, Cllr Nick Forbes said: “We made an ambitious bid to the Go Ultra Low City’ scheme and whilst its disappointing that we have not been awarded the Go Ultra Low City status – its great news that this development funding will...
