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Dozens of cutting-edge, green vehicle technology projects including ultra-lightweight vehicles, zero emission buses and new battery technology are set to benefit from millions in joint funding to take the UK a step closer to net zero.
Today, Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones will visit Surrey to announce that £88m of joint industry and government funding has been awarded to 46 innovative projects, including the development of electric trucks for the NHS and Royal Mail, e-motorcycles and wireless charging solutions.
This funding is an important vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry, creating thousands of green, skilled jobs up and down the country as the government continues to deliver its mission to get Britain moving and grow the economy for all.
The innovation funding comes as the Commercial Vehicle Show announces the appointment of its new director.
Mike Costain, Managing Director at Lyrical Communications, part of B2B event organiser Nineteen Group, was appointed to bring fresh strategic vision to Britain’s largest trade show for the road transport sector.
Commenting on the announcement, Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Just as the commercial vehicle sector embarks on its own new chapter of technological change, it’s fitting the CV Show takes on a new Director with an ambitious vision. Mike’s years of expertise make him the perfect fit to deliver a dynamic, impactful event that drives business for exhibitors and attendees”.
For more info, visit: www.cvshow.com
The Minister will visit two successful applicants in the government-supported Advanced Propulsion Centre UK’s (APC) Collaborative R&D competition, Protean Electric and Gordon Murray Group.
Protean Electric is working to bring to market new, UK-developed, power-electronics products and Gordon Murray Group is developing an ultra-lightweight vehicle platform for future vehicles. These are key technologies that underpin the UK’s transition to future zero emission vehicles.
Total investment in their projects is £22.5m, including a government grant of £11m. Both projects combined are estimated to save nearly 13 million tonnes of CO2, while safeguarding and creating nearly 1,000 jobs.
Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones said: ”Labour is committed to boosting the jewel in the crown of our manufacturing base – the automotive industry. Working in partnership with industry this fund will drive innovation and propel the development of next generation zero emission vehicle technologies.
“From Royal Mail trucks delivering our post, to cleaner, greener bus journeys, this funding will back projects that will lower emissions across the country, while also supporting skilled jobs”.
This joint industry and government funding has been awarded through the APC, helping to unlock further private investment into developing cutting edge zero emission technologies for the automotive sector. The government has provided £44.5 million of this investment and is backed by a further £43.5m from the automotive industry.
Other successful projects, across five competitions, include eight collaborative R&D projects, seven Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) Feasibility Studies looking into battery and motor technologies, 11 projects aiming to rapidly develop automotive products, 14 micro-businesses, SMEs and start-ups specialising in zero emission technologies which tackle transport decarbonisation and 6 projects exploring zero tailpipe emission vehicle technologies within the niche vehicle sector.
Ian Constance, Chief Executive Officer APC, said: “Congratulations to all the companies awarded funding in this latest round of competitions facilitated by the Department for Business and Trade and industry via the APC. From collaborative projects to further advance the UK’s excellence in automotive production, to fast-start demonstrators delivering cutting-edge technology in a short period of time, through to our award-winning SME programme, it’s important we continue to show that the automotive sector is vital to the country’s net-zero goals and future economic growth, further evidencing that the UK is a highly investable opportunity”.
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