By ATN Editorial Team
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and the Department for Business and Trade have announced a multi-million-pound package of investment into zero-emission vehicle technologies for the automotive industry.
As revealed by Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones on 17 September the successful applicants of the latest APC-facilitated funding opportunities enable innovative zero-emission vehicle technologies.
A combined total of £85.8 million of investment, with both industry and government contributing, will support the UK’s manufacturing sector, boost British business, and accelerate the industry’s transition to net zero.
APC CEO Ian Constance said,
“Congratulations to all the companies awarded funding in this latest round of competitions facilitated by 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.”
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.”
The investments include:
Collaborative Research and Development programme
8 leading UK-based automotive companies and the government have invested a combined total of £59.9 million, with £29.6 million of grant provided by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered through the APC to deliver zero-emission vehicle technologies.
The technologies under development aim to raise economic growth and are projected to create or safeguard over 3,500 green jobs and reduce CO2 in the manufacturing and usage of zero-emission vehicles.
JLR, Ford and Cummins are among the successful lead applicants of the latest cohort of collaborative research and development projects.
More details of the Collaborative Research and Development programme here
Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator competition (ARMD3)
Also announced today are the companies sharing an £18.3 million investment in 11 fast-start projects aimed at rapidly developing automotive products with a clear route to market.
This includes £9.1 million of support from the Department for Business and Trade, delivered through the APC, and matched by industry funding.
Projects of the third round of the Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator competition (ARMD3) have 12 months to demonstrate a product, system, or vehicle.
For more news from the APC, click here.
