India-UK inks MoU for Net Zero transport systems

The United Kingdom and India are leading the way towards the transition to Net Zero transport systems through a unique collaboration called Innovating for Transport and Energy Systems (ITES), aimed at developing greener, faster and more affordable ways for people and goods to move around not only in India and the UK but also beyond, according to a press statement by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), a partner institution. The initiative, backed by the governments of both countries, as well as UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and delivered in partnership with IISc, aims to address the toughest decarbonisation challenges facing the transport system, such as developing an electric vehicle-ready infrastructure. It will bring together innovators, researchers, industry experts, policymakers, and investors from both countries for the first time.

The collaboration will also offer a "soft-landing" for UK SMEs interested in the Indian market and provide opportunities for SMEs and start-ups in India, enabling them to develop, test, and export solutions that help decarbonise transport. By 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, testing technologies and exploring pathways for sustainable and clean transport, such as electric and hydrogen solutions, that are reliable, affordable, and acceptable to businesses and consumers. The initiative is one of the first to be announced following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed by UK and India Science Ministers in Westminster, aimed at boosting science and innovation and driving economic growth across the two countries. The ITES collaboration will help SMEs tackle scalability with go-to-market support and access to potential clients, funders, and investment.