Just before the start of critical global climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, a forward thinking MIA member company, from the East Midlands, was invited to Downing Street to showcase how the UK’s low carbon innovation and partnership are already shaping business for the future economy.
Delta Motorsport have embraced the low carbon economy and aim to be leading-edge, designers of next-generation electric cars based in Silverstone, Northamptonshire.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:
‘Our transition to a low carbon economy will be a key driver of our future economic prosperity. Delta Motorsport is at the forefront of this transformation. Their innovation and expertise demonstrates why the UK is one of best places in the world for low carbon business.'
When Delta Motorsport first turned its attention to designing an electric vehicle, top speeds of 50 or 60 miles per hour were the norm, and a travel distance of only 30 to 50 miles was possible between charges. Using advanced technology and engineering skills involved in designing racing vehicles, the company has developed the E-4 Coupe, a four-seater car capable of a top speed of 140 miles per hour, and over 200 miles between charges. The first car is due for completion in January 2010, made possible by an initial grant for R&D of £235,000 from the East Midlands Development Agency..
Simon Dowson co-founder and Managing Director of Delta Motorsport commented;
“When we first looked into developing an electric car, we knew a key element was to make the vehicle as lightweight as possible, but also affordable. So, we teamed up with another UK company, Advanced Composites Group, to develop press-mould composites, creating the same kind of panels used for conventional cars, but at a fraction of the weight.
“We then applied what we knew about aerodynamics in race cars to create an all-new ultra low energy vehicle. In the UK, small companies like ours can benefit from government support, funding and incentives. We also collaborate with other innovative UK companies, pushing us further and helping us to develop the best possible technology. It’s an exciting place to be right now.”
The global market for low carbon goods and services is already worth over £3 trillion and is expected to exceed £4.5 trillion by 2015.
The UK market for low carbon and environmental goods and services is the sixth largest in the world. It is presently worth around £107bn – over 7% of GDP - and is set to grow by £45 billion by 2015. Manufacturing currently makes up 30.8% of this activity, compared with about 20% in the UK economy as a whole.It employs 880,000 people, rising to an estimated 1.2 million by 2015.
