Oxford Brookes University changes up to top gear

The introduction of European Union legislation on vehicle recycling and the environmental challenge faced through the rapid expansion of motorisation around the globe was instrumental in the development of DRIVENet, a project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, led by the School of Technology at Oxford Brookes University.

The success of DRIVENet, its contribution to the understanding and introduction of the legislation in the United Kingdom and the publication of “Whole life vehicle waste streams – a global perspective” has been central to the allocation of additional core funding to develop the Sustainable Vehicle Engineering Centre (SVEC) at the School of Technology.

Formed on 1st August 2008, the new Centre, under the umbrella of DRIVENet and headed by Professor Allan Hutchinson, will deal with the current and future challenges facing the whole life cycle of motor vehicles. These challenges include the very sustainability of the automotive industry and its impact on the environment, and the Centre will be involved from “design to disassembly”.

The new Centre will be launched at the School of Technology on 1st October 2008.

Professor Denise Morrey, Dean of the School of Technology said, “This new initiative will contribute to the sustainable development of the global automotive industry and the University is excited and pleased to be at the forefront of this activity.”