U.K. Launching Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems Project
The government-industry partnership aims to secure and grow more than 30,000 U.K. jobs now involved in vehicle-powertrain R&D and production as the U.K. transitions to a low-carbon future for all modes of transportation.
A 10-year, £1 billion ($1.69 billion) industry and U.K.-government project to develop low-carbon propulsion systems will based at the University of Warwick.
Committing up to £200 million ($339.4 million) in U.K. technology projects this year, the Advanced Propulsion Centre says the university will be its hub location with regional spokes to be announced later this year.
The hub facility, due to open in the fall, will give the U.K. automotive industry resources and facilities to develop advanced propulsion systems and supply chains.
The APC’s aim, in partnership with industry, is to secure and grow more than 30,000 U.K. jobs now involved in the research, development and production of vehicle powertrains as the industry transitions to a low-carbon future for all modes of transportation.
The APC says an independent, industry-led assessment panel oversaw the process used in selecting the hub location. The final decision was based on the applicant having a suitable facility for rapid startup.
CEO Tony Pixton says the APC helps forge partnerships between those who have good ideas and those who can bring them to market.
“The Advanced Propulsion Centre will support the U.K. automotive industry to become a global leader in the research, development and production of advanced propulsion systems,” Pixton says in a statement.
“Through our hub-and-spoke network we will enable collaboration between SEMs (small and medium enterprises), suppliers and vehicle manufacturers to create new powertrain solutions that build U.K. capability.”
The APC was formed in 2013 by the government and automotive industry, through the Automotive Council, to position the U.K. as a global center of excellence for low-carbon powertrain development and production.
The government and industry have each committed to provide £500 million ($848.4 million) to the APC during the 10-year program. Pixton says the University of Warwick will provide world-class facilities and expertise.
The first round of investments announced by APC earlier this year cover four projects:
Ford and its partners will receive a £13.1 million ($22.2 million) grant for a £100 million ($169.7 million) program to upgrade the EcoBoost engine. This will accelerate the introduction of advanced low-carbon technologies to deliver improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
GKN Land Systems and its partners will receive a £7.5 million ($12.7 million) grant as part of a £16 million ($27.1 million) project to apply motorsport energy-recovery technology for use in buses. The system is projected to deliver fuel savings of about 25%.
Cummins and its partners will receive a £4.9 million ($8.3 million) grant for a £9.9 million ($16.8 million) project to deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions from bus engines through the advancement of stop/start diesel-engine technology. The goal is to improve fuel consumption 15% to 20%.
JCB and its partner Flybrid get a £3.3 million ($4.6 million) grant as part of a £7.3 million ($12.4 million) project to apply Formula 1 racing technology for use in diggers (excavating machinery) to reduce fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions. On average, the carbon emissions of a 22-ton (20-t) excavator will be cut an estimated 17.6 tons (16 t) a year.
A new round of investments by the APC will be announced in September.
About the Author
You May Also Like
