Green vehicles ‘summit’

Aug 28 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

With oil prices at record highs, the search is on to find alternative ways of powering the motor vehicle. Chris Knox reports.

LEADING lights from the automotive industry will gather at the region’s first conference on green vehicles and fuels next month.

Partners4Automotive 2008 is expected to attract around 100 manufacturers, fleet managers, academics and researchers across a raft of cutting-edge fuel technologies.

It will explore applications for hydrogen fuel cells, biofuel, LPG and electricity and will feature a number of key industry speakers from the region.

The event is a call to arms to the region’s business sector, which has been hit by rocketing fuel prices, which have been exacerbated by the effects of the current economic downturn.

Although the price of converting a fleet of trucks to run on greener fuel can often be expensive, there are a host of businesses in the North East that are developing technologies and offering services that can save firms thousands of pounds in the long term.

One of these companies is Washington-based Smith Electric Vehicles, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vans and trucks and part of the Tanfield Group. The firm makes up a significant portion of the national supply chain for electric vehicles, with a client base that includes the British Nuclear Group, parcel-delivery firm TNT and supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.

The group, which is headed by chief executive Darren Kell, recently saw its share price tumble amid problems with its supply chain and was recently forced to shed 85 jobs.

However, it believes Smith Electric Vehicles will still play a vital part in its future plans. Technical director Doug MacAndrew said: “Our region has a real opportunity to develop into both a world leader in alternative fuels and a world leader in early adoption of these technologies. This conference is a great opportunity for fleet managers based in the North East to learn more about the whole range of alternative fuels and start to develop an integrated approach to green vehicles.”

One man with a keen insight into how to operate a fleet network is Brian Fothergill, head of fleet services at Newcastle City Council.

The council has managed to run its stock of company vehicles on 5% bio-diesel over recent years.

Unlike other vehicles that run on fuel made from foodstuffs such as rapeseed oil, the council utilises fuel made with industrial waste throughout its 800-strong fleet.

Mr Fothergill said: “The benefits of going green are obvious, especially on a financial level. Even if the cost of oil goes up or down, it will always be advantageous to make fuel cheaper in the long term.

“With its background in science and manufacturing, the North East is in a great position to take advantage of this opportunity. However, we need to establish a working infrastructure between manufacturers of green fuel, distributors and the motor industry. This conference is one way of trying to get things moving.”

Another business attending the conference and one which will be key to the adoption of sustainable fuel supplies in the coming years is Middlesbrough’s Refreshco Ltd.

The firm claims its hydrogen fuel technology can save a diesel car between £200 and £400 a month, and plans to go into production later this year. Unlike a fuel cell, the technology converts water into hydrogen directly under the bonnet and is designed to be used on the smallest family car to commercial lorries. The firm is also developing the technology to be used for boilers in the home and believes it could become a multi-million pound business in the near future.

Derek Foxcroft, managing director at Refreshco, said: “We are selling to a massive market here and one that can only get bigger.

“We will be on the lookout for potential customers at the conference to help give us a kick-start once we get up and running.”

The event, which will be held at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at Sunderland University between September 17-18, is being supported by a number of industry bodies, including regional development agency One NorthEast.

Phil Eadon, project director for Partners4Automotive 2008, said: “Alternative fuel technologies have the potential to create major job opportunities in the future. Those firms that get involved and understand the issues and challenges that lie ahead will be better able to develop the skills and experience that will be needed to win them new orders in the future.

“I am delighted to welcome One NorthEast as a partner in the event. I hope that local companies will participate in the event and take advantage of this opportunity to explore the future.”