£73.5 million to boost green economic recovery in automotive sector
Government announces Advanced Propulsion Centre funding.
- Automotive sector receives £73.5 million investment for advanced technology to cut carbon emissions
- businesses from Newport to Newcastle will research and develop recyclable batteries and state-of-the-art motors for electric taxis, cars and vans
- grants will contribute to the recovery of the automotive sector and the UK economy, safeguarding 14,000 jobs
Britain’s automotive industry is set to benefit from a £73.5 million government investment to develop green technologies and safeguard jobs, Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi announced today (Tuesday 23 June).
Ten projects across the UK will receive a share of this new investment to develop cutting-edge technology for the next generation of electric taxis, cars and vans – including recyclable batteries, advanced electrical systems and ultra-lightweight components.
This funding will contribute to the automotive sector’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by safeguarding more than 14,000 UK research and manufacturing jobs. It will also enable the manufacture of a greater volume of low emission cars, commercial vehicles and components right here in the UK.
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi said:
Whether it’s researching future battery design or creating a lightweight version of the Ford Transit, companies in every part of the United Kingdom are leading the world in advanced automotive technology.
Not only will this funding ensure automotive companies can play their part in keeping us on the path to net zero emissions by 2050, it will also support thousands of jobs and be a welcome step towards the industry’s economic recovery.
The funding boost will aid the development of highly efficient and ultra-lightweight components and help drive the automotive industry further away from its reliance on fossil fuel technologies.
Companies set to benefit include Ford Technologies, BMW Motorsport, Jaguar Land Rover and the London Electric Vehicle Company, manufacturer of electric taxis. The move towards electric transport will be vital in helping the UK meet its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, while growing the economy and creating jobs in greener industries.
The successful projects were chosen by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), which seeks to maintain the UK’s position as a centre of excellence for the research and development of low carbon vehicle technology.
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said:
As we look to kickstart our green transport recovery, new technologies and cleaner fuels are going to play an even greater role in achieving our aim of a greener and more prosperous economy.
From recyclable batteries to state-of-the-art motors, not only will this funding create thousands of jobs, it will also bring us one step closer to achieving our net zero target within 30 years.
Jon Beasley, Director of Technology & Projects at the APC, said:
It’s an exciting time for the UK automotive industry – we are on the precipice of an innovation landslide. The technology we invest in now is set to make an impact on the next generation of vehicles.
The 4 projects chosen to receive funding will all develop the next iteration of electrification solutions, showing that it is fast becoming the technology of choice for a wide range of vehicles and that it is vital to ensuring a sustainable low carbon future.
Paul Warton, President of the Automotive Structures & Industry business unit, Constellium, said:
The APC’s funding was instrumental to ensuring the ALIVE project will be developed in the UK and we are delighted to have received their support and confidence.
Constellium and its project partners expect to deliver the most cost effective solution available for the production of structural aluminium battery enclosures providing far greater design freedom and modularity than exists today to support our OEM partners on the journey to vehicle electrification.
The successful projects are:
- LEVC – Electric Vehicle Evolution (Coventry): the London Electric Vehicle Company will develop a new EV technology specifically for its vehicles to deliver increased efficiency and higher performance capabilities
- Constellium Ltd – ALIVE (Slough): this project will develop the manufacturing processes for light weight, crash-resistant battery enclosures. These will be used in ultra-low emission vehicles
- Cummins Turbo Technologies Ltd – TRIDENT (Huddersfield): this project will look to develop and manufacture a game-changing energy recovery platform that will deliver fuel consumption improvements
- Ford Technologies Ltd – eSHADOW (Basildon): this project will determine the technical, financial and environmental challenges of using advanced, lightweight materials in vehicle manufacturing
- Jaguar Land Rover – Hi-VIBES (Coventry): a consortium of academics and industry will create a new electronic system that will be easier to build, as well as being lighter and cheaper
- Avid Technology Limited – REVO (Cramlington, near Newcastle): it will help deliver improvements in electric and hybrid vehicle efficiency
- TEVVA – SANGREAL (Chelmsford): this project will bench-test an innovative design of axle for 7.5 to 14-tonne commercial vehicles. It will improve safety through better impact robustness
- Magnetic Systems Technology Ltd – Magtec (Sheffield): this project will be focused on utilising the most innovative manufacturing process and assembly methods for traction motors
- BMW (Motorsport) Ltd – FutureBEV (Warwick & Newport): this project aims to deliver better powertrains that are more cost-efficient
- Jaguar Land Rover – ZEUS (Coventry): JLR is developing a prototype hydrogen fuel cell vehicle with its partners. Hydrogen can play a role as a viable fuel in the future across the automotive industry alongside battery electric vehicles
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi announced the 10 projects at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ virtual International Automotive Summit today.
Notes to editors
The winning projects selected through the APC’s rigorous assessment programme create opportunities to secure jobs in research and manufacturing across the UK as well as sharing knowledge across industry and academia.
Further background on projects
LEVC – EVE (Electric Vehicle Evolution)
A collaborative project involving specialist UK-based companies and academia to develop, localise and industrialise the next generation of EV technology for existing and future vehicles produced by London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC). Building on the success of the current ‘eCity’ technology that has already helped to reduce over 30,000 tonnes of CO2, investment in this new EV technology ensures that LEVC will continue to lead the development of innovative green mobility products.
Jaguar Land Rover - Hi-VIBES
The Hi-VIBES project will deliver pioneering power electronics which will support the growing number of electrified products across the Jaguar Land Rover range. Working with academics from the University of Nottingham and industry partners Lyra Electronics and Pektron, the project will create a fully integrated power electronics system that will be used for all future Jaguar Land Rover Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The system design will enable significant cost, weight and package benefits.
The Hi-VIBES project will bring significant opportunities for industrial investment and sourcing within the supply chain in the UK.
Avid Technology Limited - REVO
Partnering with Warwick University and The Welding Institute, this project led by Avid Technology Limited will deliver a highly innovative next generation axial flux motor and a motor manufacturing process for lighter weight, higher efficiency electric vehicle powertrains of the future. The project will further embed electric motor simulation and design and volume manufacturing, with the new manufacturing process capable of producing up to 100,000 units per annum on a single production line within Avid Technology’s existing UK manufacturing facilities.
TEVVA - SANGREAL
This project will design and bench-test an innovative transaxle and vehicle control system for 7.5-14 tonne commercial vehicles. Further developing and commercialising Tevva’s existing battery module and pack design to a ‘between the rails’ solution will improve safety and impact robustness with active thermal management. A substantial part of the investment will develop an advanced vehicle control system and cloud-based telematic, ensuring safe and reliable performance for both on and off-road applications. This enables predictive and preventative servicing that intelligently controls the range extender so that its use is minimised overall and avoided entirely in urban environments.
Constellium Ltd – ALIVE
Using innovative, high-strength aluminium alloys, the ALIVE project will design, develop, assemble and extensively test novel enclosure architectures that are scaleable in both design and manufacturing capability. This project hopes to enable these new concepts for the manufacture of both vehicle integration structures and battery enclosures in a new generation of lightweight hybrid and electric vehicles for the UK market.
Cummins Turbo Technologies Ltd – TRIDENT
Building on extensive cutting-edge developments in every major component and subsystem across the mechanical and e-machines domains, Cummins Turbo Technologies (CTT) alongside Tier 1 to Tier 3 partners across the UK supply chain aim to create a game-changing energy recovery platform. By redefining the practical limits of system efficiency across multiple thermal propulsion powertrains as well as system level efficiency at vehicle level, the project hopes to deliver CO2 and fuel consumption improvements for ICE-based platforms such as hybrids, natural gas vehicles and reduced-emission diesel variants.
Magnetic Systems Technology Ltd – Magtec
This collaborative R&D project will demonstrate the development of production technologies for traction motors; providing the electrical alternatives to diesel power solutions with demonstrable operational reliability for the commercial vehicle market.
A consortia, led by Magtec, includes 4 leading transport sector OEMs – Dennis Eagle, Paneltex, Volta Trucks and Angel Trains who will support the definition of requirements and verification of the solutions developed. Ensuring that the manufacturing processes are repeatable and robust. From the world of academia, the project will also include the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) at the University of Sheffield whose expertise will be focused on utilising the most innovative manufacturing process and assembly methods.
BMW (Motorsport) Ltd – FutureBEV
A development team bringing together two premium automotive global companies, BMW and McLaren Applied, Customer Interconnect Limited (CIL), Lyra Electronics, Compound Semi Conductor Applications Catapult (CSAC) and the University of Warwick will foster a new UK supply chain for subcomponents and system capability for the future of electromobility. Delivered through 2 strongly interlinked workstreams addressing both volume and performance to drive improved efficiency, lower vehicle level CO2, reduced weight and better use of storage.
Jaguar Land Rover – ZEUS
Working with world-class research and industry partners, Jaguar Land Rover is developing a prototype hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Hydrogen can play a role as a viable fuel in the future across the automotive industry alongside battery electric vehicles, helping to make our environments cleaner. Working with Delta Motorsport, Marelli Automotive Systems and UKBIC, the project will deliver a zero tailpipe emissions premium fuel cell SUV concept with Jaguar Land Rover attributes, such as long range, quick refill, towing, off road capabilities and low temperature performance.
The project will help drive significant growth and capability in fuel cell electric vehicle design and manufacturing, providing a competitive edge in intellectual property and supply chain for the UK.
Ford Technologies Ltd – eSHADOW
Led by Ford, this collaborative industry research project with 3 UK industry partners and academic support aims to develop a hybrid material structural engineering tool to promote lightweight design and verification for product development processes. This project will create a lightweight multi-material solution for rolling chassis ladder frames to improve vehicle efficiency and promote adoption of zero-emission vehicle architectures and will demonstrate a new approach for engineering practices that will enable development of the next generation of electric vehicles.
About the Advanced Propulsion Centre
The APC’s job is to ensure the UK remains competitive in the research, development and production of low carbon automotive technologies, anchoring and growing UK capabilities.
Over an initial 10-year lifespan, the APC has a goal to save 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from the automotive industry, supporting the UK government’s net zero plans. It is therefore investing in technologies that help lower emissions and protect the environment. The APC facilitates the relationship between UK government and the companies leading UK-based projects aimed at advancing low carbon automotive technology.