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Mayfield told delegates at a conference in Odney that he believed their expertise and the Partnership's commitment could help devise and support technological innovations that will markedly reduce the impact of road haulage on the environment.

"That is why I am delighted to announce the launch of this initiative, to work with you to develop prototype vehicles that will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20 percent and ideally by 30 percent," he said.

The Chairman stressed that any response to climate change must address the impact of our transport operation, which is the Partnership's second largest contributor of CO2 emissions (after the energy required to run our shops), with our 1,700 commercial vehicles and 1,110 company cars travelling 43 million miles a year.

The challenge to develop eco vans and lorries is being run jointly with Cenex, the UK's national Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies. The target specification aims to reduce the CO2 footprint by at least 20 percent, and ideally 30 percent plus, against current performance. Cenex's role is to work with technology providers to formulate propositions for submission to the challenge and to oversee independent testing.

David Sheppard, the Partnership's Deputy Head of Transport, explained to the 100 people attending the conference – including representatives of more than 20 vehicle manufacturers, as well as MP John Gummer – that one of its main aims had been to provide an opportunity for 'the cross-pollination of ideas' on low-carbon vehicles.

"We all know we need to find a way of cutting CO2 emissions and today will provide an opportunity to debate the issue business to business," said Sheppard, who was responsible for planning the conference held in the Sir Bernard Miller Centre.

He explained that the Partnership believes it is vital to investigate new ways of cutting carbon and wants to send a clear signal to the commercial vehicle industry that it is willing to trial and adopt new low-carbon vehicles from electric and hybrid electric vehicles to hydrogen and fuel cells.

High bio-content fuels from renewable sources such as bio-methane from waste could also be trialled. "We can use our purchasing power and leadership position to move the market for low-carbon vehicles," added Sheppard.