Arup team charged up for LCV2011 performance

Electric vehicle infrastructure specialist Arup will have a significant presence at LCV2011 - the premier event on the UK low carbon vehicle calendar – when it opens its doors for business this week (7-8 September).

LCV2011, which takes place at Rockingham Race Circuit in Northamptonshire, promises to be bigger than in previous years – with a record number of innovative manufacturers and engineering companies exhibiting, and a further 3,000 low carbon industry stakeholders expected to join them.

Arup will be an integral part of the event’s seminar and exhibition programme, with presentations from Associate Director Neil Butcher, Associate Director Susan Claris – part of the infrastructure delivery team of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles - and Director Peter Young from Arup’s Advanced Technology and Research practice.

Mr Butcher will be taking to the stage in the Technology Strategy Board’s dedicated dome on day one - revealing how the data gathered on driver behaviour and charging habits through the UK’s largest LCV trial (CABLED) is helping businesses and government develop the best strategy for their successful deployment.

Commenting on Arup’s presence at LCV2011 Mr Butcher said: “The rapid rise of low carbon vehicles and growth of LCV 2011 shows that they will become an increasingly important part of the solution to our transport needs, so it’s important that we understand the technology and the effect it will have on motorists. But we also want to progress the debate from vehicles to low carbon transport and the benefits that can bring to the urban environment, so I am looking forward to some lively debate.”

In Hall A on day two (8 September) Susan Claris’ presentation will reflect the latest learnings and strategic direction of the government’s Plugged-in Places programme – the key mechanism for rolling-out EV recharging infrastructure and providing learning to inform the future development of a national network.

Then, later that day, Peter Young will discuss the implications of mass EV adoption and – informed by Arup’s management of the CABLED project – the factors that society, governments and infrastructure providers will need to consider and plan for in the future.

Off-stage visitors will have the opportunity to find out more about Arup’s expertise across the low carbon domain by visiting the team’s exhibition stand E8-E9 for a one-to-one chat. The Arup offering includes vehicle engineering and vehicle demonstration trials through to infrastructure delivery and low carbon transport strategy at national, city and fleet levels.

LCV2011 is organised by Cenex, the UK's first Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies, and now in its fourth year. Among the other notable businesses participating are: Ford (displaying its ECOnetic Fiesta) and Jaguar Land Rover (with the Range-E), with other guest speakers including: Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Business and Enterprise, plus Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board.

Further details on the CABLED project can be found at cabled.org.uk