The government this week announced £26.4 million of cash, match-funded by industry to total £52.8 million, would be spent to help develop the next generation of driverless and low-carbon vehicles.
Long-term commitments are part of the deal, which also includes joint-investment in the design and development of autonomous vehicles, research and development of battery technology, and speeding up the manufacturing of ultra-low and zero-emission vehicles.
Business and energy secretary Greg Clark said: ‘For decades, the UK’s automotive industry has powered our economy forward. Today, automotive firms from around the world choose to set up shop here, citing our history of excellence, skilled workforce and world-leading supply chains.
‘In the next ten years, the sector will see more change than in the previous hundred. From the engines that power our cars to the way we control them and our attitudes to owning them, technology is changing what the industry looks like and where money can be made.
‘The automotive sector will shape our response to the grand challenges articulated in our industrial strategy, such as clean growth and the future of mobility – transformations which will forever change how people live, work and travel.’
The deal also includes flagship projects led by Ford, GKN and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
James Gaade from JLR’s Powertrain Research team, said: ‘We are pleased to be awarded this funding with academic and industry partners.
‘As we move to electrify all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles from 2020, this funding will allow us to achieve critical breakthroughs in next generation of technology, accelerate innovation and deliver a cleaner future.
‘Working collaboratively in this way will strengthen the UK supply chain capability and cement our position as a global centre of excellence for Autonomous, Connected, Electrified vehicles.”
