Research at OLEV

Supporting emerging technologies which the UK can exploit and lead globally, where full commercial funding is not otherwise available.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) funds and manages a programme of industry-led research and development to support emerging technologies which the UK can exploit and lead globally, where full commercial funding is not otherwise available.

Introduction

Ultra­low emission vehicle technology is developing fast. The government is committed to accelerating the pace of change in this area and contributes to the funding of a range of innovative research and development activities.

OLEV is focused on identifying and supporting emerging technologies in this area, these currently include:

  • energy storage and management
  • electric machines and power electronics
  • light-weighting of vehicles
  • relevant industry disruptive technologies

The low carbon vehicles innovation platform

The government’s programme of research and development for low carbon vehicle (LCV) technologies is delivered primarily through Innovate UK and the low carbon vehicles innovation platform (LCVIP).

The LCVIP aims to:

  • contribute to the growth of the UK automotive sector
  • increase and accelerate the introduction of vehicle-centric technologies to the LCV market
  • help the UK reduce CO₂ and other emissions caused by road transport

The LCVIP is run by setting competitions to fund collaborative research and development. Competition criteria is created with input from:

  • relevant industry
  • the Automotive Council
  • the Innovate UK Low Carbon Vehicle Advisory Group

Project bids are assessed independently by a panel of automotive experts and are required to be match funded by the private sector. Publicly funded research projects are listed at the gateway to research site.

LCVIP was originally launched in 2007 and its impact was reviewed by Innovate UK in 2015.

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