Hybrid and electric vehicle battery technology gets government support 12 September 2012

DBIS (the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) has pledged further support for the automotive industry, with the creation of a new UK Energy Storage R&D Centre at the University of Warwick for electric and hybrid vehicle batteries.

Co-funded by government (£9 million) and industry (£4 million), the centre is aimed at capitalising on the growing electric and hybrid vehicle battery market, estimated as being worth £250 million for the UK by 2020.

The centre is the latest move by government to secure future growth opportunities for the UK's automotive sector, building on its existing £400m commitment over the next four years to support ultra-low carbon vehicles.

"[This project] will put the UK in a much stronger, competitive position to capitalise on a growing worldwide market for low carbon vehicles," says Business Minister Michael Fallon.

"This £13 million facility will help accelerate the development of battery cells for the next generation of vehicles... It complements over £5.5 billion that global vehicle manufacturers have committed to UK projects in the last 18 months."

Jerry Hardcastle, chairman and global chief marketability engineer at Nissan, adds: "The announcement is great news and is further evidence that collaboration between the government, industry and academic institutions in the UK continues to create opportunities to increase innovation and further develop the supply chain in the automotive industry."

David Bott, director of innovation programmes at the Technology Strategy Board, says it's all about maximising on UK competitiveness.

"By locating the centre within the new High Value Manufacturing Catapult, it will be possible to draw on capabilities that have already been developed in energy storage and help to speed up the commercialisation of new products."

Author
Brian Tinham

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