WhatCar nominations unveiled

The nominations for the WhatCar? 2022 Innovation Award have been revealed, with electric vehicles and innovative safety solutions being recognised.

The awards honour automotive companies that have pushed the boundaries of vehicle technology or significantly refined existing solutions to make driving easier, safer and kinder to the environment.

Among those vying for the title is BMW’s Head-Up Display for its new iX range, Hyundai’s Blindspot View Monitor, and a step-change in ‘vehicle-to-everything’ (V2X) communication – which enables vehicles to communicate with their environment and each other – from Ford and Vivacity. Also in the running is a pioneering forecourt concept for EV charging stations from British company Gridserve, and a significant innovation in fast-charging technology from Hyundai.

Matthew Avery, Chief Research Strategy Officer at Thatcham Research, which is sponsoring the awards, said: “With the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales on the horizon, the automotive sector continues to respond with a wealth of innovations to help pave the way for the successful adoption of electric vehicles. Developments in assisted driving technology and refinements in the human-vehicle Interface are also gaining momentum this year.”

The winner and two runners-up, to be selected by a panel of experts from Thatcham Research and What Car?, will be announced at an awards ceremony next month.

The nominations are: BMW (HUD for the iX8 range); Ford and Vivacity (RoadSafe project); Gridserve (all-electric forecourts); Hyundai (blindspot view monitor); and Hyundai (fast-charging).