£54m investment for net-zero transport

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has allocated more than £54m in government and industry funding to accelerate the development of net-zero transport solutions.

In Northern Ireland, £11.2m has been allocated to the development and manufacture of low-cost hydrogen fuel cell bus technology and to a new hydrogen centre in Ballymena.

£31.9m has been allocated to Meritor, the global supplier for commercial vehicle manufacturers in order to develop lightweight electric powertrains for heavy goods vehicles.

The final £11.3m has been committed through Shield Manufacturing Technologies and will be used to develop an energy recovery system to reduce the energy use of cars and vans.

Ian Constance, chief executive at the APC said: ‘We are delighted to have guided the latest investment of more than £54m in the development and production of innovative powertrains to further accelerate the transition of the automotive sector to a net-zero future. The funding will enable the UK to apply its world-class innovation and experience in the electrification of vehicles across the supply chain in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

‘From fuel cell technology for buses, designed and built-in Ballymena, a lightweight electric powertrain for commercial vehicles developed and manufactured in Wales and an integrated motor and energy recovery systems system for cars and vans based on motorsport technology in Warwickshire, today’s announcement secures and creates nearly 10,000 jobs and will cut CO2 emissions equivalent to removing the lifetime emissions of nearly 1.8 million cars.’

Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng added: ‘The UK is leading the world by developing cutting edge technology that will help to tackle climate change and lead to a green, prosperous future for our automotive sector.

‘These projects will not only help accelerate the wider application of greener technology in lorries and buses, but will also help generate the high-skilled jobs to level up regions across the UK while ensuring we build back greener.’

Photo Credit – The Advanced Propulsion Centre