The funding initiative, facilitated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, serves to bolster the establishment of a comprehensive supply chain for zero-emission vehicles within the UK.
In a significant move towards solidifying the UK’s position as a global leader in zero-emissions vehicle technology, £89 million in combined government and industry funding has been allocated to propel 20 groundbreaking net-zero tech projects. These projects encompass a range of innovations, from hydrogen-powered offroad vehicles to a new lithium scale-up plant and revolutionary EV battery systems.
The funding initiative, facilitated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), serves to bolster the establishment of a comprehensive supply chain for zero-emission vehicles within the UK. The investment comprises £45.2 million from the government, complemented by an additional £42.7 million contributed by the automotive industry.
The funding is distributed across four collaborative R&D projects, five scale-up projects, and seven feasibility studies. These initiatives collectively aim to prepare the ground for large-scale manufacturing facilities dedicated to zero-emission vehicles.
Among the recipients, notable projects include Aston Martin’s endeavor to accelerate the development of a luxury battery electric vehicle platform.
Additionally, Perkins, a historic British engine manufacturer, is set to pioneer a net-zero, hydrogen-hybrid integrated power system for off-highway vehicles. These projects alone are expected to generate or safeguard over 4,700 jobs and prevent nearly 65 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the next decade.
Nusrat Ghani, Minister for Industry and Economic Security, expressed the collaborative vision, stating, “Together with industry, we’re providing a huge £89 million of funding to drive 20 groundbreaking net zero tech projects which will help grow the economy and create UK jobs in the industries of the future.”
This inclusive approach encompasses initiatives ranging from net zero tractors to pioneering battery projects, demonstrating a determined commitment to remaining at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle technology.
Through the Automotive Transformation Fund’s Scale-up Readiness Validation (SuRV2) projects, companies like Green Lithium Refining are poised to construct a lithium scale-up plant in Teesside, with plans to produce enough refined lithium to facilitate the production of over one million electric vehicles.
Furthermore, Ilika Technologies, in partnership with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) and MPAC, is collaborating on project SiSTEM. This venture is aimed at accelerating the scale-up of Ilika’s solid-state battery technology, a significant step forward in sustainable and advanced energy storage solutions.
The Automotive Transformation Fund’s Feasibility Study (FS4) projects tackle the challenge of establishing large-scale manufacturing facilities for essential components of zero-emission vehicles. Among these projects, Cornish Lithium is at the forefront, focusing on commercial extraction of lithium and other vital battery metals in Cornwall.
Additionally, Aberdeen Minerals is conducting a study to explore innovative mineral processing routes, aiming to accelerate the low-carbon production of cathode raw materials.
This comprehensive funding initiative, which aligns with the APC’s 10th anniversary, underscores the UK’s commitment to technological innovation and sustainable growth in the automotive sector. Through strategic investment and industry collaboration, these projects are poised to make substantial contributions towards a greener, more sustainable future for transportation in the UK.