OLEV Go Ultra Low City Scheme – Registration of Interest Form
Bidder Information
Lead local authority
West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority (ITA)
Named lead contact
Adam Harrison
West Midlands ITA Policy & Strategy Team
c/o Council House Extension
6 Margaret Street
Birmingham
B3 3BU
Contact: adamharrison@wmita.org.uk
Tel: 0121 214 7316
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham Science City Partnership
Black Country LEP
Bosch UK Ltd
Centro (WMPTE)
Cenex (Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel
Cell Technologies)
Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP
Walsall MBC
Which other organisations are
associated with your bid? (with
evidence of their commitment)
Assurances
You confirm your
interest in taking
part in the
scheme
Yes or No
Yes
Comment
The West Midlands Metropolitan Area is home to a critical cluster
of the UK’s most important and biggest manufacturing businesses
and leading centres of advanced engineering research, which
presents huge economic and transport opportunities in the
future. 70% of all UK low carbon vehicle research and
development occurs in the region.
For example, Coventry has been leading the way to become a
global Research and Development Hub. With these and other
national partners it has developed a comprehensive concept for
‘Electric City’ and a programme of activity for integrated mobility,
securing a range of funded projects to support innovation in
transport. This has the involvement of its two universities, the
national Manufacturing and Technology Centre, JLR and the
Warwick Business School.
The Advanced Propulsion Centre has recently announced that it
will be based at Warwick University in Coventry and Coventry was
also successful as part of consortium with Milton Keynes, JLR,
Mira, RDM, Ford, Tata and others in a bid for ‘UK Autodrive’.
Coventry University also coordinates the West Midlands Low
Carbon Vehicle Technology Project.
Furthermore, Birmingham Connected, launched by the Transport
Secretary in November 2014, also promotes the creation of Low
Emission Zones, the wider roll out of Electric and Low Emissions
Vehicle infrastructure, Green Travel Districts and the role of
technology to bring together low emission vehicles and public
transport.
The West Midlands has been an early adopter region for EVs since
the late 2000s when EVs were first introduced into the UK as
technology demonstrators through projects. The West Midlands
has been involved in the delivery of Electric Vehicle charging
infrastructure at a number of our Park & Ride sites through the
Plugged in Places Midlands Programme managed by Cenex.
Alongside the work on supporting Electric Vehicle infrastructure,
Local Authorities, Centro/PTE and Bus Operators have worked
closely on many Green Bus Fund rounds. The Midlands also has
one of the most comprehensive vehicle charging networks in the
country with over 700 charging points. Although a large network,
there is still some way to go with interoperability and ease of use
for the end user.
A key objective of the West Midlands LTP is to reduce carbon
emissions. The current LTP3 Policy GT1 – Accelerated Low Carbon
Technology sets out “To support the transformation to a low
carbon economy and work with partners to reduce carbon
emissions caused by travel and transport through smarter choices,
reduced congestion, highway management and by supporting in
all practical ways, the roll-out of low carbon infrastructure and the
development of low and zero carbon public service and private
vehicles”.
LTP3 polices have helped to play a role in improving and reducing
air quality and carbon emissions through behavioural change and
the promotion and use of low carbon technologies. The Low
Emissions Towns and Cities Programme (LETCP) is a partnership
comprising the West Midlands Local Authorities, working together
to improve air quality and reduce emissions from road transport.
The intention is to promote uptake of low emission fuels and
technologies, establishing and sharing best practice policies, and
developing various tools and resources.
The future policy options for exploration within the West
Midlands Strategic Transport Plan include:
 Integration of electric vehicles into the public transport
system
 Low Emissions Zones
 Increased Investment in Low and Ultra Low Emission
Private, Public Transport and Taxi Vehicles
 Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, interoperability
and payment
 Integrated Ticketing and integration with smartcard
services




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
20 MPH Zones
Promoting Low and Ultra Low Emission, Car Share and Car
Club schemes
Green fleet reviews, pool cars and workplace charging
Promoting Cycling and Walking
Park and Ride investment
Freight Consolidation Centres
In response to this growing agenda an Advanced Manufacturing
Study is also underway to help ensure the West Midlands is in the
best possible place to support this sector in the future.
The West Midlands is at the forefront of innovation in the uptake
of ULEV vehicles and infrastructure and leading the way in wider
policy measures to encourage sustainable transport which
supports economic growth and creates local jobs.
You confirm that, if
successful, you are prepared
to take part in every stage of
the scheme, up to and
including a full bid
Yes or No
Comment
Yes
We are interested in developing a wider funding
package to include buses and taxis, this funding is
an opportunity to further shape the uptake of
ULEV’s and the role they can play in a Combined
Mobility offer. This could support and deliver
behavioural change as individuals look to consider
their mobility options going forward.
The potential for improving the Combined
Mobility offer for the West Midlands through
linking charging, car clubs, public transport and
ticketing whilst improving emissions from the
transport sector is a significant opportunity. This
funding is a key competent of supporting our LEP
Growth Strategies which focuses on low carbon
investment,
supporting
future
advanced
manufacturing industries, supporting the local
supply chain and supporting and skills investment,
as well investment in transport technology
innovation and integrated mobility.