Low carbon plan backed; GO GREEN: West Midlands joins national initiative.

THE West Midlands is at the heart of a pounds 100 million Government investment programme to accelerate the introduction of low carbon vehicles on to Britain's roads.

Regional Development Agency Advantage West Midlands has committed pounds 30 million to the national Low Carbon Vehicle Integrated Delivery Programme (LCVIDP), it was revealed today.

The programme will co-ordinate the UK's low carbon vehicle activity from initial strategic research to collaborative research and development, leading to the production of demonstration vehicles.

The LCVIDP was launched at the national Low Carbon Vehicle Event, at Millbrook Vehicle Proving Ground in Bedford, and was attended by major West Midlands-based automotive businesses, including Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors and the Morgan Motor Company, as well as University of Birmingham and Coventry University.

Mick Laverty, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, said: "The West Midlands is embracing the opportunities of the new low carbon era and Advantage West Midlands takes a regional lead role on the national low carbon vehicle platform.

"The Low Carbon Vehicle Integrated Delivery Programme brings with it huge opportunities for the West Midlands and we have therefore made available up to pounds 30 million to support our industry-led projects and our region's needs."

The private sector will take all investment to pounds 200 million.

Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham said: "This is a great example of collaborative innovation in action.

The programme will generate new research and deployment opportunities for a whole range of relevant technologies."