Politicians, government officials and representatives from the transport and energy sectors were among guests at a University-led reception in the Houses of Parliament.
The event was aimed at raising the profile of our research and expertise in transport and electrification.
Speakers included Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Science Minister and Lord Shipley, a former Lib Dem leader of Newcastle City Council.
Opening the event, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Chris Day spoke about the capabilities that exist in the North East in terms of the electrification technologies that will be a major contributor to achieving Net Zero.
We are cementing the North East as a globally significant innovation cluster for electrification. With our partners, we are ensuring that this is recognised by decision-makers and potential investors
Professor Chris Day Vice-Chancellor and President, Newcastle University
Chi Onwurah, who is also MP for Newcastle Central, spoke of her pride in the region, and in the University’s role leading research and innovation.
Professor Phil Blythe, Director of the University’s Mobility and Transport NUCoRE and a former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Transport, spoke about the potential for autonomous vehicles in the logistics sector. The reception followed the launch of his major new report, The Driverless Road Ahead for Logistics, the same day.
The report was launched at a roundtable discussion in Westminster, attended by experts from across the freight and intelligent transport systems industries and the Department for Transport.
Attendees agreed that the implementation of autonomous logistics vehicles will have significant benefits for productivity and the economy. Collaboration and investment in research and development, education, and infrastructure in the North East could act as a ‘test bed’ to unlock these benefits and roll them out further across the UK.
Read a summary of the roundtable here.
