More than 拢70 million to turbocharge the future of clean transport
A world-first heavy tractor powered by farm waste is just one of the game-changing projects benefitting from 拢73 million in new funding for the development of clean transport technologies.
- More than 拢70 million in joint government and industry funding to develop clean transport technology
- projects expected to support 3,300 jobs and drive economic growth across the UK over the next decade
- innovations required for hydrogen-powered HGVs, a tractor powered by farmyard waste and more efficient methods of manufacturing electric motors among those awarded funding
A world-first heavy tractor powered by farm waste is just one of the game-changing projects benefitting from 拢73 million in new funding for the development of clean transport technologies announced today (Friday 2 December).
The joint government and industry investment will support projects right across the UK, from Burnaston to Bridgwater, in support of ambitions to build an end-to-end supply chain for zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) in the UK. The five successful projects are set to support 3,300 jobs across the UK, working on new ways to harness renewable fuels, electric motors that are both powerful and highly efficient, and new materials that鈥檒l reduce the auto industry鈥檚 carbon footprint.
The funding has been awarded through the聽聽Collaborative Research and Development programme, which supports the development of innovative low and zero-carbon automotive technology, with 拢36.4 million coming from government. This is backed by a further 拢36.6 million from the automobile industry 鈥� taking today鈥檚 total to 拢73 million.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps said:
鈥淥ur automotive industry is a world-leader, creating jobs whether in Essex, Somerset or Glasgow. Seizing the potential from new technologies will be a key part of its future success, while also making our roads cleaner, greener and more affordable.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 multi-million-pound boost 鈥� created by government working hand-in-hand with industry 鈥� will put these firms in pole position to pioneer these innovations, staying at the cutting edge of the global race for decades to come.鈥�
Joint government and industry funding winners are:
HVS, Glasgow
Receiving 拢30 million to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered HGV cab and tractor unit to replace the highly polluting diesel-powered vehicles currently used to transport road freight.
CNH Industrial, Essex
Receiving 拢15.6 million to develop the world鈥檚 first liquid fugitive methane-powered, off-road, heavy tractor. It makes use of methane gas produced by waste from farms, that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere.
Toyota, Derbyshire
Receiving 拢11.3 million to develop a hydrogen-fuel cell version of the Hilux pickup truck, ideal for use in isolated settings where electric vehicle charging is impractical.
Constellium, Slough
Receiving 拢10 million to provide new sources of recycled aluminium that could massively reduce the auto industry鈥檚 carbon footprint.
Electrified Automation, Somerset
Receiving 拢6 million to up-scale a market-disrupting new method for manufacturing electric motors that are more cost-effective, powerful and efficient than much of the competition.
Chief Executive at the APC Ian Constance said: 聽
鈥淪upporting vital research and development in the UK, now more than ever, provides an opportunity to invest in transport decarbonisation as well as boost growth in the automotive sector.
鈥淭he 拢73 million of funding announced today furthers world-leading innovation in net-zero technology for the automotive sector and beyond. These five fantastic projects are all collaborative by design, led by high-profile companies with innovative SME and academic partners, representing the best of UK industry.鈥�
Today鈥檚 announcement comes on top of funding also being invested by the government through the (ATF) to develop a high-value end-to-end electrified automotive supply chain in the UK.
This includes unlocking private investment in gigafactories, battery material supply chains, motors, power electronics, and fuel cell systems. The ATF is being delivered by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
The government has committed a record 拢211 million to battery research and innovation through the Faraday Battery Challenge, to help the sector deliver 100,000 jobs in battery gigafactories and the battery supply chain by 2040. The funding will be delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with support from the Faraday Institution, Innovate UK and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).
The UK Hydrogen Strategy sets out how government, working with industry, is aiming to develop 10GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030, for use across the economy. This forms a part of the British energy security strategy for delivering secure, clean and affordable British energy for the long term.
Notes to editors
Funding winners
Toyota 鈥� Hilux FC
An 拢11.3 million project, supported by 拢5.6 million from government with a further 拢5.7 million from industry, to develop and pilot production of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the Toyota Hilux pickup truck. This will support more than 250 jobs across the UK over the next decade. Toyota have sites at Burnaston, Derbyshire, and Deeside, North Wales.
Electrified Automation 鈥� PIMMS
PIMMS (Process Innovations for electric Motor Manufacturing Solutions) will up-scale a new method for manufacturing permanent magnet electric motors, which are used in a wide range of electric vehicles. This 拢6.02 million project is being supported by 拢3.01 million from the government with a further 拢3.01 million from industry. Electrified Automation are based in Bridgwater, Somerset.
HVS 鈥� Hydrogen-Electric HGV Powertrain Development
A 拢30 million project, supported by 拢15 million from government with a further 拢15 million from industry, to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered HGV cab and tractor unit, to replace the diesel-powered equivalents currently used across the UK and Europe. HVS are based in Glasgow.
Constellium 鈥� CirConAl project
CirConAl, which stands for Circular and Constant Aluminium, is a project aiming to improve how industry manages scrap aluminium. The objective is to provide the auto industry with lower carbon and lower cost sources of recycled aluminium alloys. 拢5 million in government funding is supporting this 拢10 million project, with a further 拢5 million from industry. Constellium鈥檚 UK base is in Slough.
CNH Industrial 鈥� ATLAS
This 拢15.6 million project, supported by 拢7.8 million from government with a further 拢7.8 million from industry, will develop the world鈥檚 first liquid fugitive methane powered, off-road, heavy tractor. This form of methane can be derived from livestock manure, which could be a sustainable source of fuel in agricultural settings. CNH Industrial are based in Basildon, Essex.
About the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK
The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) collaborates with UK government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies, supporting the transition to deliver net-zero emission vehicles.
Since its foundation in 2013, APC has funded 188 low-carbon projects involving 426 partners, working with companies of all sizes, and will have helped to create or safeguard over 50,000 jobs in the UK. The technologies developed in these projects are projected to save over 312 million tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of removing the lifetime emissions from 12.6 million cars.
With its deep sector expertise and cutting-edge knowledge of new propulsion technologies,聽APC鈥檚 role in building and advising project consortia helps projects start more quickly and deliver increased value. In the longer term, its work to drive innovation and encourage collaboration is building the foundations for a successful and sustainable UK automotive industry.