The Government has announced that £54m of funding will be made available to create the next generation of electric trucks and hydrogen-powered buses.
The funding will go to three projects in Cwmbran, Warwickshire and Ballymena, which the Government forecasts will deliver 10,000 jobs and save 45 million tonnes of carbon emissions.
Just under £32m will go to develop electric propulsion systems for heavy goods vehicles in Cwmbran, Wales. This technology could be applied in a range of ways, such as giving lorries greater travel range and better energy efficiency for coaches and construction vehicles.
Around £11m will go to develop and manufacture energy-saving technology from motorsports for use in cars and vans from a centre in Warwickshire.
Over £11m will also be used to develop and manufacture low-cost hydrogen fuel cell technology for buses and create a hydrogen centre of excellence with Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
‘The UK is leading the world by developing cutting edge technology that will help to tackle climate change and lead to a green, competitive future for our automotive supply chain,’ said business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
‘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 communities across the UK while ensuring we build back greener from the pandemic.’
Transport minister Rachel Maclean commented: ‘As we look to reduce our carbon emissions, strive towards our net-zero goals and level up right across the UK, the whole transport sector will need to embrace new innovative technology such as green hydrogen and these projects are a fantastic example of doing just that.
‘I’m proud to see the UK leading the way in the global transition to zero-emission vehicles. In the next decade, we’ll continue to be at the forefront of their design, manufacture and use as we build back greener.’
