Innovating for Transport and Energy Systems (ITES) is a unique collaboration to develop greener, quicker and more affordable ways for people and goods to move around – in India, the UK, and beyond.

Backed by governments in both the UK and India, Innovate UK, and delivered in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the initiative will for the first time bring together innovators, industry heavyweights, researchers, policymakers and investors from both countries to target the transport system’s toughest decarbonisation challenges, such as developing an electric vehicle-ready infrastructure.

Adopting a perspective across the whole transport and energy system, ITES will consider the multiple solutions needed to deliver cleaner seas, skies, roads and railways. Cutting-edge pilots and research programmes in India and the UK will test technologies and explore pathways for sustainable and clean transport – such as electric and hydrogen solutions – that are reliable, affordable and acceptable to businesses and consumers, as well as ensuring an infrastructure and energy generation system that can meet demand.

ITES aims to attract public, private and third sector partners and sponsors to ensure activities are market-led and solve practical problems, such as zero-emission fleets and last-mile delivery, and innovative charging technologies.

The first intake of 20 SMEs to deliver international clean transport solutions were recruited in Summer 2023 and are provided with a range of acceleration support – from start-up mentoring and incubation services, to market research and real-world pilots with Indian businesses that help prove new products on the ground. The programme will also help innovative businesses tackle scalability with bespoke go-to-market support and access to potential clients, funders, and investment.

The Clean Maritime Demonstration, funded by Innovate UK, aims to determine the feasibility of decarbonising the Port of Aberdeen’s day-to-day operations. The study, which may have wider implications across the UK port sector aligns with the emissions reductions goals published in the Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Plan of 2019.

Transport is responsible for 24% of the UK’s CO2 emissions, while international shipping accounts for 5% of total transport emissions. Ports themselves are responsible for direct and indirect carbon emissions, from the use of shoreside infrastructure such as cranes and lighting, to cargo deliveries. Such activities present significant opportunities for decarbonisation.

The Port of Aberdeen plays a key role in international trade and is a key enabler within the local, regional, and national supply chain. Aberdeen Harbour’s goal is to accelerate the transition to Net Zero by eliminating emissions by adapting and supporting the development and introduction of innovative technologies and processes. Decarbonisation of the port needs to consider a diverse range of stakeholders including customers, port users, and industry organisations.

Energy Systems Catapult, in partnership with Aberdeen Harbour, Buro Happold Engineering, and the Connected Places Catapult will look to understand future power demands at the Port of Aberdeen, and the use of low carbon energy supply sources to power port and third-party equipment. The project team will also develop a roadmap to 2040 to decarbonise port operations.

The Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce (EVET) was jointly established by energy and transport ministers at the Prime Minister’s Zero Emission Vehicle Summit, in September 2018. The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership was asked to convene and facilitate the work of the Taskforce, chaired by Energy Systems Catapult chief executive Philip New.

The EVET made 21 key proposals to government and industry – following an unprecedented collaboration including more than 350 organisations – to effectively manage the integration of EV within the energy system as we transition to electric vehicles.

The proposals set out in this report are the result of the engagement, cooperation and goodwill of hundreds of organisations, spanning:

• Electricity distribution and supply
• Transport sector
• Energy retailers and EV charge point operators
• The auto industry
• Investors
• Local authorities
• Data and tech companies
• Consumer advocacy organisations
• Equipment EV manufacturers & EV battery makers
• Regulators
• Central and local government

In its formal report to the Government, the EVET sets out a range of proposals to enable the efficient integration of electric vehicles EV with the energy system during the electrification transition.

Three key priorities  emerged:

1. The urgency of developing standards and codes of practice to enable interoperability and the sharing of data within the Electric Vehicle sector and with the electricity system.
2. The need for effective local and national planning and coordination to enable efficient investment, mediating the balance between future-proofing and asset stranding.
3. The criticality of smart EV charging; underpinned by a resilient network and clear market signals, to reduce the cost of supplying millions of EVs.

The three-year Consumers, Vehicles and Energy Integration (CVEI) project was launched in 2016 to deliver unique and detailed insight on mainstream consumer behaviour with electric vehicles and the changes needed of existing infrastructure.

The CVEI project influenced the development of the ESME Transport modelling tool.

CVEI examined the barriers and motivators which influence consumers as they trialled a Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) or a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) and an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) car.

The study gathered in-depth data from vehicles and charge points for 584,000 miles of journeys and 15,700 charge events, covering both home and public locations, while consumer surveys were undertaken to understand attitudes, perceptions and choices.

Key findings included:

• 95% of BEV drivers and 85% with PHEV chose smart charging over dumb charging, to automatically avoid charging at times of peak grid demand or when electricity is most expensive.
• Mainstream consumers trialling all three types of car said they were willing to pay more for BEVs or PHEVs over an ICE vehicle, as long as the savings on running costs delivered a payback in fewer than 5 years.

CVEI significantly influenced the Government appointed Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce chaired by Energy Systems Catapult chief executive Philip New.

The CVEI modelling datasets – are now owned by the Catapult.