A world-first heavy tractor powered by farm waste is just one game-changing project benefitting £73 million in new funding for the development of clean transport technologies.
- More than £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 game-changing project benefitting £73 million in new allotment for the development of clean transport technologies announced today (Friday, 2 December).
The joint government and industry investment will support projects 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’ll reduce the auto industry’s carbon footprint.
The funding has been awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Collaborative Research and Development programme, which supports the development of innovative low and zero-carbon automotive technology, with £36.4 million from the government. This is backed by a further £36.6 million from the automobile industry – taking today’s total to £73 million.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“Our automotive industry is a world leader, creating jobs in Essex, Somerset or Glasgow. Seizing the potential of new technologies will be a crucial part of its future success while also making our roads cleaner, greener and more affordable.
“Today’s multi-million-pound boost – created by government working hand-in-hand with industry – will put these firms in pole position to pioneer these innovations, staying at the cutting edge of the global race for decades to come.”
Joint government and industry funding winners are:
HVS, Glasgow
Receiving £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 £15.6 million to develop the world’s 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 £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 £10 million to provide new sources of recycled aluminium that could massively reduce the auto industry’s carbon footprint.
Electrified Automation, Somerset
Receiving £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:
“Supporting vital research and development in the UK, now more than ever, provides an opportunity to invest in transport decarbonisation and boost growth in the automotive sector.
“The £73 million 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.”
Today’s announcement comes on top of funding also being invested by the government through the Automotive Transformation Fund (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 Department is delivering the ATF for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
The government has committed a record £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 provided 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 the the government, working with industry, aims 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.
