Major investment to boost zero emission vehicles

The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and the Department for Business and Trade have unveiled an exciting multi-million-pound investment package for the automotive industry. This investment will fund numerous cutting-edge projects focusing on green vehicle technologies, such as ultra-lightweight vehicles, zero-emission buses, and innovative battery technology.

The Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation, Sarah Jones, recently announced the successful recipients of the latest funding opportunities facilitated by the APC. The allocated funds amount to a staggering £85.8 million, with contributions from both the industry and the government. This significant investment will play a crucial role in supporting the UK’s manufacturing sector, boosting British businesses, and accelerating the industry’s transition towards achieving net zero emissions.

APC CEO, Ian Constance, expressed his delight at the companies awarded funding in this latest round of competitions. The projects range from collaborative endeavours to enhance the UK’s automotive manufacturing excellence to fast-start demonstrators that will showcase cutting-edge technology within a short timeframe. The commitment to showcasing the automotive sector’s importance in achieving the country’s net-zero objectives and driving future economic growth highlights the UK as an attractive investment opportunity.

Minister Sarah Jones reiterated the government’s dedication to bolstering the automotive industry, referring to it as the jewel in the crown of the UK’s manufacturing base. By collaborating with the industry, this fund aims to foster innovation and propel the development of next-generation zero-emission vehicle technologies. The projects funded by this initiative will have a tangible impact on reducing emissions across the country while simultaneously supporting skilled job creation.

One of the key initiatives supported by this investment is the Collaborative Research and Development programme. Eight leading UK-based automotive companies have joined forces with the government to invest a combined total of £59.9 million. As part of this programme, £29.6 million in grants has been allocated by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered through APC. The projects underway seek to drive economic growth, with projections indicating the creation or safeguarding of over 3,500 green jobs while reducing CO2 emissions in the manufacturing and use of zero-emission vehicles. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Ford, and Cummins are among the successful lead applicants in this round of collaborative research and development projects.

Another significant component of the investment package is the Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator competition (ARMD3). This initiative will see £18.3 million being invested in 11 fast-start projects aimed at rapidly developing automotive products with a clear path to market. The Department for Business and Trade has pledged £9.1 million in support, which will be matched by funding from industry partners. The projects under ARMD3 have a one-year timeline to showcase a product, system, or vehicle. Examples of projects include the development of electric trucks for the NHS and Royal Mail, electrically cooled delivery vans for Sainsbury’s, as well as advancements in e-motorcycles, fire engines, buses, powertrains, and material recycling.

Furthermore, the Automotive Transformation Fund Feasibility Studies have been launched to explore battery technologies and supply chain opportunities. A total investment of £4.6 million has been allocated for seven new feasibility studies, with £2.3 million in government grants through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF). The ATF aims to expedite the electrification of the UK’s automotive sector and safeguard its competitiveness on a global scale. This initiative allows for the investigation of project viability for scale-up and provides capital grants to mitigate risks and attract additional private investment.

The Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) is also playing a pivotal role in supporting 14 innovative automotive companies in the UK. These companies have been awarded over £2.3 million in government grant funding through TDAP. Each organisation will receive up to £170,000 in grant funding, coupled with tailored business support provided by the programme. With this being the eighth round of the accelerator programme, previous cohorts have seen companies secure over £300 million in private investment. The latest entrants in TDAP have projects focused on enhancing battery performance, battery recycling, advanced manufacturing materials, and wireless charging solutions.

This latest investment package signifies a significant commitment towards advancing green vehicle technologies in the UK. By supporting innovative projects and collaboration between industry and government, the automotive sector is well-positioned to contribute towards achieving the nation’s net-zero goals. The combination of financial support, technological advancements, and job creation opportunities is poised to drive sustainable growth and reinforce the UK’s position as a leader in green automotive technologies and manufacturing.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

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