UK automotive industry secures £92 million investment to spur green recovery
More than £92 million in combined government and industry funding has been committed to 49 projects within the UK automotive sector to help drive a green Covid-19 recovery and a low-carbon future.
The investment co-ordinated by the Coventry-based Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), includes vital support for the continuation of industry research and development during the pandemic, funding for next-generation low-carbon technology, and a forward-thinking approach for the industrialisation of a zero-emission future.
Through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), 31 projects are set to benefit from £17 million of investment in feasibility studies to support the future of green manufacturing and economic recovery for the UK. The money will support commercially led research and development of manufacturing and product scale-up for a future automotive supply chain.
£59 million will be committed to six automotive projects through the APC16 competition, including battery development, recycling and technology for cars, motorcycles, buses and commercial vehicles. The combined award with funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and matched by the industry partners, is aimed at providing support for technological growth, and will secure almost 3,000 jobs in the UK across research and manufacturing.
A further 12 projects have been selected as part of the government’s £16.5 million Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator (ARMD) competition, to support UK industry continuation with R&D after the COVID-19 pandemic and further accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles. These small-scale collaborative projects are being led by a range of OEMs and SMEs, focusing on products and processes across energy storage & management, power electronics, electric machines, lightweighting and hydrogen.
Launched in June this year, the programme was conceived and launched within just two months, and the outputs will be displayed at the Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle Show in September 2021.
Ian Constance, Chief Executive at the APC said: ‘The investment in 49 innovative projects announced today demonstrates the real and ongoing commitment of government and industry working together to advance the UK’s vibrant automotive technology development sector towards a net zero future.
‘The creativity and engineering excellence in organisations receiving the latest matched funding stretches across the automotive landscape including buses, cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and components.
‘Since 2013, the APC has coordinated programmes to develop the latest zero carbon technologies and manufacturing processes which have secured over 40,000 jobs and are projected to save over 228 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
‘The APC continues to provide the forum and resources for stakeholders to access global opportunities such as the UK’s potential £24 billion share of the global passenger car electrification market.’
Over an initial 10-year lifespan, the APC has a goal to save 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from the automotive industry, supporting the UK government’s net-zero plans. This commitment is reflected in its ongoing investment in technologies that help lower emissions and protect the environment. The APC enables the relationship between the UK government and the companies leading UK-based projects aimed at advancing low-carbon automotive technology.
