UK revs up low carbon automotive technology with £43m

UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has announced £43.7 million ($53.5 million) in joint industry and government funding to support the development of the latest green automobile technology, including electric motorbikes and off-road vehicles.

Electric motorcycles and an all-terrain, 4×4 electric delivery truck designed for emerging markets are among the projects benefiting from the funding.

The aim is to help develop the latest green automotive technology while seizing economic opportunities of the global transition to cleaner transport.

The two projects that have been awarded the funding include:

• Project Zero Emission Norton, Solihull, West Midlands – £17.2 million ($21 million)
  The project aims to develop an electric motorbike that delivers a high level of race performance and touring range to enhance workforce capabilities, secure local jobs and help strengthen the UK’s competitive supply chain.
• OX Delivers CLEAN (Clean Logistics for Emerging African Nations), Leamington Spa, Warwickshire – £17.1 million ($20.9 million)
  OX Delivers CLEAN will develop an all-terrain electric delivery truck designed for emerging markets, to be manufactured in the UK, that can withstand tough off-road conditions by using long-life, lower cost batteries.

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The projects are set to secure over 550 jobs and save 27.6 million tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of removing the lifetime emissions of 1.1 million cars from the road.

The two projects have been awarded funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Collaborative Research and Development competition, which supports the development of innovative low carbon automotive technology and will help propel the UK in the global race to secure electric vehicle supply chains.

The feasibility studies will be further backed by £9.4 million ($11.5 million) in matched government-industry money through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF). Areas to be investigated include the development of electric vehicle (EV) battery components and the viability of using UK-sourced critical minerals.

In addition to these two projects, 19 early-stage proposals that could bolster the UK EV supply chain have also been awarded funding to research, prove or enhance the case for their scale up, with the potential to create further jobs in country.

View the full list of these projects and their descriptions.