Government announces ten projects to share in £73.5m funding to cut vehicle emissions

Tue 23 June 2020 View all news

The Government has announced ten projects that will share £73.5m to advance technology to help reduce vehicle emissions. The projects from across the UK will each receive a share of the funding to develop new technology for the next generation of electric taxis, cars and vans – including recyclable batteries, advanced electrical systems and ultra-lightweight components.

Companies set to benefit include Ford Technologies, BMW Motorsport, Jaguar Land Rover and the London Electric Vehicle Company, maker of electric taxis.

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 successful APC funded 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

The announcements were made by Business Minister Nadhim Zadhawi at the SMMT's virtual International Automotive Summit.

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