News

£80m funding for greener buses, vans and engines

Projects aimed at bringing fuel cells to van fleets, developing high-efficiency transmissions and creating the next generation of electric and hybrid buses are to receive money from the 10-year £1 billion government and industry advanced propulsion fund.

Business secretary Vince Cable announced £80 million of new investment for the four new projects through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).

A new generation of electric and hybrid buses will be developed by Wrightbus and its partners in Northern Ireland, who will receive a grant of £4.3m in a £8.6m programme.

Intelligent Energy will lead a £12.7m project to develop a hydrogen fuel cell range extender for electric light commercial vehicle fleets, with a £6.3m grant.

A high-efficiency transmission and electric drive by hofer powertrain UK will receive £16.4m as part of its £32.8m programme.

And £13m has been made available to develop technologies for UK built diesel engines for off-highway use to be exported by Perkins Engines Company in a £25.1m project.

"With projects as diverse as developing high efficiency transmissions to creating a new generation of electric and hybrid buses, the Advanced Propulsion Centre is one of the driving forces behind the development of new technology," says Cable.

"The Advanced Propulsion Centre is on target to create and secure 30,000 UK jobs over the next decade, cutting CO2 emissions through new technology developed in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to be exported worldwide," states APC chief executive Tony Pixton.

"We encourage all companies to start discussions with potential partners now in order to be ready for the next round of grant funding available later this year."

The joint industry and government investment through the APC is selected by twice-yearly funding competitions. Bids will soon be accepted from project teams to access a further £100 million, which will be committed in the autumn of 2015.

Related content