More than £70 million of joint government and industry funding to develop clean transport technology projects that are expected to support 3,300 jobs and drive economic growth across the UK over the next decade, and the innovations required for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles, tractors powered by farm waste, The most efficient methods of manufacturing electric motors among those receiving funding
The world’s first heavy-duty agricultural waste tractor is just one of the game-changing projects benefiting from £73m of new funding to develop clean transport technologies announced today (Friday 2 December).
The joint investment between government and industry will support projects across the UK, from Burnaston to Bridgwater, to support ambitions to build a comprehensive supply chain for zero-emission 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, powerful and highly efficient electric motors, and new materials that will reduce the carbon footprint of the automotive industry.
The funding has been awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Center (APC) Collaborative R&D programme, which supports the development of innovative low carbon and zero carbon automotive technology, with £36.4 million provided by the Government. This is supported by an additional £36.6 million from the automotive industry – bringing today’s total to £73 million.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“Our automotive industry is a world leader, creating jobs whether in Essex, Somerset or Glasgow. Exploiting the potential of new technologies will be a key part of its future success, while making our roads cleaner, greener and more affordable.
“Today’s multi-million pound payment – created by the Government working alongside industry – will put these companies in pole position to pioneer these innovations, and remain at the forefront of the global race for decades to come.”
Winners of joint government and industry funding are:
HVS, Glasgow
Secured £30 million to develop a hydrogen fuel cell HGV cab and tractor unit to replace highly polluting diesel-powered vehicles currently used to transport goods on roads.
CNH Industrial, Essex
Secured £15.6 million to develop the world’s first heavy-duty, liquid methane-powered, off-road tractor. It uses methane gas from farm waste, which would otherwise escape into the atmosphere.
Toyota, Derbyshire
Secured £11.3 million to develop a hydrogen fuel cell version of the Hilux pick-up truck, ideal for use in isolated locations where charging an electric vehicle is impractical.
Constellium, Slough
Securing £10 million to provide new sources of recycled aluminium, which could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the automotive industry.
Electrified Automation, Somerset
Raised £6 million to scale up a market-disrupting new way of manufacturing electric motors that are more cost-effective, powerful and efficient than many competitors.
APC CEO Ian Constance said:
“Supporting vital UK R&D, now more than ever, provides an opportunity to invest in the decarbonisation of transport as well as fueling growth in the automotive sector.
“The £73 million of funding announced today advances world-leading innovation in net zero technology for the automotive sector and beyond. These five exciting projects are collaborative by design, led by world-class companies with academic partners and innovative small enterprises, representing the best of In industry in the United Kingdom.
Today’s announcement comes in addition to funding the Government is also investing through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to develop an end-to-end high-value electric vehicle supply chain in the UK.
This includes unlocking private investment in megafabs, supply chains for battery materials, motors, power electronics and fuel cell systems. The ATF is delivered by the Department 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 create 100,000 jobs in giant battery factories and the battery supply chain by 2040. The funding will be provided by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). ) is supported by the Faraday Foundation, Innovate UK and the UK Battery Manufacturing Center (UKBIC).
The UK Hydrogen Strategy sets out how the government, working with industry, aims to develop hydrogen production capacity of up to 10 gigawatts by 2030, for use across the economy. This forms part of the UK’s energy security strategy to provide safe, clean and affordable British energy in the long term.
Notes to editors
Funding winners
Toyota – Hilux FC
An £11.3m project, backed by £5.6m from government plus £5.7m from industry, to develop and trial production a hydrogen fuel cell version of the Toyota Hilux minivan. This will support more than 250 jobs across the UK over the next decade. Toyota has sites in Burnaston, Derbyshire, and Deeside, North Wales.
Electrified Automation – PIMMS
PIMMS (Process Innovations for Electric Motor Manufacturing Solutions) will scale up a new method for manufacturing permanent magnet electric motors, which are used in a wide range of electric vehicles. This £6.02 million project is supported by £3.01 million from government as well as £3.01 million from industry. Electrified Automation is based in Bridgwater, Somerset.
HVS – Powertrain development for heavy-duty hydrogen-electric vehicles
The £30m project, backed by £15m from the government plus £15m from industry, is to develop a hydrogen fuel cell powered HGV cab and tractor unit, replacing the diesel counterparts currently in use across the UK and Europe. . HVS is based in Glasgow.
Constellium – Circonal Project
CirConAl, short for circular and continuous aluminium, is a project aimed at improving how the industry manages aluminum scrap. The goal is to provide the automotive industry with low-carbon, lower-cost sources of recycled aluminum alloy. £5 million of government funding is supporting this £10 million project, with a further £5 million from industry. Constellium’s UK base is located in Slough.
CNH Industrial – Atlas
This £15.6 million project, supported by £7.8 million from government plus £7.8 million from industry, will develop the world’s first heavy-duty tractor powered by fugitive liquid methane, for off-roading. This form of methane can be extracted from livestock manure, which can be a sustainable source of fuel in agricultural settings. CNH Industrial is based in Basildon, Essex.
About the UK Advanced Payment Centre
The Advanced Propulsion Center (APC) collaborates with the UK Government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the manufacturing of technologies, supporting the transition to delivering zero-emission vehicles.
Since its founding in 2013, APC has funded 188 low carbon projects involving 426 partners, working with companies of all sizes, and will help create or protect more than 50,000 UK jobs. The technologies developed in these projects are expected to save more than 312 million tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to eliminating lifetime emissions from 12.6 million cars.
With its deep industry experience and cutting-edge knowledge of new payment technologies, APC’s role in building and advising project consortia helps projects get started more quickly and deliver increased value. In the long term, its work to drive innovation and encourage collaboration is building the foundations for a successful and sustainable UK automotive industry.
