APC 5 is now seeking proposals for collaborative R&D technology projects designed to deliver large reductions in vehicle emissions—with an expected £70 million of co-investment funding committed from government and industry.
Ian Constance (pictured), chief executive of the Advanced Propulsion Centre, explains that all potential projects must be business-led and include a vehicle manufacturer or Tier One supplier and an SME.
“The UK automotive industry has a significant opportunity to build on its existing strengths in powertrain engineering and low carbon innovation to seize global competitiveness,” comments Constance.
And Business Secretary Sajid Javid adds: “The UK’s automotive sector got a big boost in the Autumn Statement, providing an additional £225 million funding for automotive R&D.
“The projects established by the APC to promote low carbon innovation will ensure world-leading automotive manufacturing – and high-skilled jobs – in the UK for years to come.”
Meanwhile, the latest – sixth – addition to the APC hub and spoke network is focusing specifically on electric machines – bringing together industry and academia to support development of the UK’s low carbon vehicle capability.
Constance says the new electric machines spoke is about supporting development of the UK’s advanced propulsion supply chain.
Its role, he says, is to disseminate industrial challenges to the community, support the development of consortia for funding competitions, and promote the community and its outputs.
“Newcastle University is delighted to be confirmed as the lead of the sixth APC spoke and the lead of a community of excellence in electrical machines,” comments Dr James Widmer, director of the Newcastle Spoke.
“The University has worked on the development of electrical machines for many years, and over the last decade has had a significant focus on fundamental research and supporting industry in the development of traction motors and auxiliary motors for low carbon vehicles.”