New funding for UK low carbon vehicle development projects

A total of 32 companies are to collectively receive £33mn for five projects aiming to transform the UK’s low carbon automotive future. The funds are being made available via the 12^th round of  investment through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) that is supporting the development of the next generation of low-carbon vehicles.

The investment forms part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, is expected to create up to 2,230 jobs in research and manufacturing across UK.

Projects range from the development of high-performance battery packs and electrified construction equipment, to hydrogen-powered engines – as well as helping support the establishment of future supply chains.

To mark the announcement, UK Business Minister Andrew Stephenson visited McLaren Group in Woking. The company is one of 32 organisations, working in five consortia, benefiting from £9.8mn new investment towards its ESCAPE project. This will create a complete end-to-end supply chain for a key component to be used in all electrified vehicles, whether automotive, railway, marine or aviation – reportedly a first for the UK.

Stephenson said: ‘This new investment will enhance the UK’s leading position in the development of the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles and clean growth. We are committed to building on those strengths to ensure we are a leader in the design and manufacture of automotive vehicles as part of our modern Industrial Strategy. These projects will build the capacity and capability of UK companies to manufacture low carbon technology and provide high skilled, well paid jobs across the country.’

Other successful projects receiving funding are:

• Tata Motors European Technical Centre’s ZETE project is an ultra-clean engine that reduces emissions in high pollutant sectors including heavy haulage, rail and shipping.
• Unipart Powertrain Applications’ H1perChain project will strengthen the UK’s battery industry by providing a cost-effective route for UK-manufactured batteries into domestic and export markets.
• Caterpillar’s joint project with AVID Technology will develop a fully electrified construction machine.
• YASA’s EV-LIFT project aims to produce a best-in-class electronic drive unit (EDU) for next generation battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

The UK government has also announced a £23mn under its Faraday Battery Challenge, which aims to bring together world-leading academia and businesses to accelerate the research needed to develop the latest electric car battery technologies – a crucial part of the UK’s move towards a net zero emissions economy. It is also a key contributor to all new cars and vans being effectively zero emission by 2040.