Triangulum project cuts Manchester carbon emissions

Manchester’s universities are using technology to cut their carbon emissions, thanks to a new Triangulum project.

The project, funded by the European Commission, allows Manchester City Council, in collaboration with the University of Manchester (UoM) and Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met), to transform their vehicle fleets and make huge energy savings, while demonstrating the power of the new innovations to help create economic growth and generate environmental benefits.

UoM have changed seven of their diesel operational services vans for electric vehicles to date, and Manchester Met have added two electric cars to their car share scheme, allowing more staff to use low-carbon transport and leave their own cars at home.

Manchester Met’s mail deliveries have been using more electric bikes, and electric cargo bikes have been made available to local businesses on a free trial, with UoM’s IT department already making the most of this offer.

Manchester, Eindhoven and Stavanger are all taking part in the scheme, which runs until 2020.

Data gathered from usage of electric vehicles and bikes is being used to develop a better understanding of mobility in the city.

Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester needs to generate growth and create more jobs, but we need to do that in a way that is environmentally sustainable. Using new disruptive technologies and sharing knowledge is the most effective way to achieve that - and being a ‘smart city’ is Manchester’s future.”