Showcase for green car technology

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Wales is to showcase its green car credentials at the UK's first national low carbon vehicle event.

The one-day event will give five of the country's leading alternative transport companies the chance to show off their goods to industry experts.

Taking place at Millbrook Proving Ground in Befordshire the invitation-only event will attract more than 800 policy-makers and industry experts.

Wales will have a high profile at the event with its own pavilion on show.

The country has become a leading centre for the development of alternative fuel technologies in recent years with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

The nation's five representatives at the UK National Low Carbon Vehicle Event will include:

<ul class="bulletList"><li>Atraverda Ltd - The Abertillery-based company has developed a lighter ceramic material to replace the traditional heavier lead components in lead acid batteries making them lighter and greener.</li><li>Connaught Engineering - The Llanelli-based company has developed the world's only retrofit braking system which can save up to 25% on fuel and CO2 emissions through regenerative breaking. </li><li>The Hydrogen Bus - The world's first Tribrid minibus developed by Glamorgan University which has been in operation for four months ferrying students between its Treforest and Glyn Taf campuses. </li><li>The Narrow Car Company - The Abercynon firm's metre-wide, tandem, two-seater NARO car has the dynamics of a motorbike in a bid to change urban transport. </li><li>Stevens Vehicles - The Port Talbot company's zero carbon emission electric powered cars and vans can travel for 50 miles for less than £1.</li></ul>

Each one is hoping that the event will help launch their products on the world market with delegates set to include vehicles manufacturers, specialist suppliers, technology companies and fleet operators.

Managing director of Stevens Vehicles, Peter Stevens, is looking forward to the event and he has brought one of his vans along with him to show people what it can do.

"The event will give us the opportunity to drive people around which is going to be very good," he said.

"We've brought our first customer's van up so people can see that our vehicle is out there and not just a concept vehicle."

While Atraverda's chief technical officer, Andrew Loyns, hopes the event will give his company a chance to change the perception of his industry.The Hydrogen Bus ferries students between campuses in Pontypridd

"What we're trying to do is to change the perception of lead acid chemistry which isn't easy because people have the impression that it's really dirty and old," he explained.

"But old lead acid batteries are almost 100% recyclable and we're hoping the event will give us the opportunity to show people that although lead batteries are over 100 years old - we're taking them to the next level with our new ceramic material."

The assembly government's international trade and investment arm, International Business Wales (IBW) is an event sponsor.

It will also be promoting the recently opened Hydrogen Research Centre at Baglan Energy Park alongside the Welsh universities which are working on collaborative projects within the auto industry.

Economy and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Ground-breaking work is under way in Wales in the drive towards a lower carbon economy.

"We are making an important contribution towards the creation of a green automotive industry and have a number of highly innovative products either on the market or under development, including low or zero carbon emission vehicles.

"The development of new and innovative technologies and products will play an increasingly important role in the current economic climate. "