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5. Economic and business opportunities
Scotland's businesses are the primary driver of sustainable economic growth. However, as part of the Scottish Government's purpose to increase sustainable economic growth, it is important for us to work closely with industry to ensure there exists the best possible environment for competitive businesses, entrepreneurship and innovation to flourish.
In addition to their environmental benefits, the development of low carbon technologies and the LCV market in Scotland can stimulate a range of economic and business opportunities both within the transport industry and across related sectors through its potential for innovative activity and job creation.
Innovation and Research & Development (R&D) are key drivers for increasing productivity and sustainable economic growth, both of which lie at the heart of the development and uptake of LCVs in Scotland. R&D of low carbon technologies is undertaken across a range of sectors, by organisations including vehicle manufacturers, battery manufacturers, commercial developers of biofuels and research institutes such as universities. There is scope for each of these sectors to expand from encouraging the development of low carbon technologies and the market for LCVs. Opportunities may specifically exist in the development of: advance battery technologies; internal combustion engines for hybrid vehicles; low cost electric motors; control systems; energy storage and recovery systems; and battery recycling to meet the needs of this developing market.
For the full potential of economic and business opportunities to be realised from such activity, knowledge transfer between the research community, industry, the public sector and consumers will be vital for low carbon technologies to become both practically and commercially viable. Within this, the R&D at universities will need to be focused, coordinated and linked to development mechanisms that ensure that such advances are exploited and progressed within the Scottish supply base. The development of skills and expertise in low carbon technologies across sectors in Scotland could provide the roots for sustainable growth in this area and carry forward the long run potential of LCV technology.
Encouraging both demand and supply sides of the LCV market could also generate employment across the range of sectors involved. This could occur through the expansion of existing businesses, the creation of new business start-ups and new affiliations created between industry, research institutions and the public sector.
Taking the potential for innovation, increase of skills and creation of jobs together, these factors have the potential to contribute to Scotland's short and long-term economic growth. They could be key factors in creating a comparative advantage for Scotland in the development of the LCV market, increasing productivity and thus contributing to sustainable economic growth in Scotland.
Axeon
Axeon is a manufacturer of complete Lithium-ion battery systems for EVs and Hybrid Electric vehicles ( HEVs). To date there are over 100 production Electric Vehicles on the roads of Europe powered by Axeon Lithium-ion battery systems.
Axeon currently produces batteries in production volume for two of the UK's leading EV suppliers, Modec and Allied Vehicles.
In addition, they have designed, produced and delivered several prototype Lithium-ion batteries for a very diverse range of EVs and HEVs, including:
- High performance sports car for Ruf GmbH, Germany
- Highway-capable electric scooter, USA
- Materials handling truck, Germany
- City buses, Italy
- HEV heavy plant vehicle, Scandinavia
Its HQ, as well as its engineering and EV battery manufacturing activity, is in Dundee.
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