Boost for Electric Van and Bus Industry as UK Invests in Green Technology

A significant boost has been given to the UK’s electric vehicle industry with the announcement of £88 million in joint government and industry funding for 46 innovative projects. This investment aims to accelerate the nation’s transition to net zero emissions.

Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones visited Surrey to unveil the funding, which will support the development of cutting-edge electric vehicles, including trucks for the NHS and Royal Mail, e-motorcycles, and wireless charging solutions. This investment is expected to create thousands of green jobs across the UK.

Among the successful projects are Protean Electric and Gordon Murray Group, both of which received £22.5 million in total funding. Protean Electric is working on new power-electronics products, while Gordon Murray Group is developing an ultra-lightweight vehicle platform. These technologies are crucial for the UK’s transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones said:

Labour is committed to boosting the jewel in the crown of our manufacturing base – the automotive industry. Working in partnership with industry this funding will drive innovation and propel the development of next generation zero emission vehicle technologies.

From Royal Mail trucks delivering our post, to cleaner, greener bus journeys, this funding will back projects that will lower emissions across the country, while also supporting skilled jobs.

Andrew Whitehead, Chief Executive Officer of Protean Electric, said:

We are thrilled that project PULSE has been selected by the APC and the new Government, as it supports Protean to continue to lead electric vehicle innovation from our UK development centre. Protean’s state-of-the-art in-wheel motors are a key solution to improve range, user experience and most importantly affordability of electric vehicles.

We are delighted to welcome Minister Jones and would like to thank her for the new Government’s continued commitment towards net-zero, and look forward to engaging further on these topics in the future.”

Jean-Philippe Launberg, Gordon Murray Group Strategy & Business Director, said:

“The Gordon Murray Group and our R&D partners feel privileged to receive – through Innovate UK and APC – Government support for the M-LightEn Project and be trusted with the development and industrialisation of leading-edge technologies to make cars significantly more energy efficient to build and run, contributing to the UK’s decarbonisation. Furthermore, the extra lightweighting we will unlock through M-LightEn directly enhances the already legendary dynamics of our cars. It’s Driving Perfection … taken to the next level.”

The funding, awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), aims to unlock further private investment in zero-emission technologies. In addition to the 46 projects, the government has also announced plans to support the development of a battery manufacturing industry in the UK, with the goal of creating 270,000 jobs by 2040.

Ian Constance, Chief Executive Officer APC, said:

“Congratulations to all the companies awarded funding in this latest round of competitions facilitated by the Department for Business and Trade and industry via the APC. From collaborative projects to further advance the UK’s excellence in automotive production, to fast-start demonstrators delivering cutting-edge technology in a short period of time, through to our award-winning SME programme, it’s important we continue to show that the automotive sector is vital to the country’s net-zero goals and future economic growth, further evidencing that the UK is a highly investable opportunity.”

The government’s investment in electric vehicle technology demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable future and its recognition of the automotive industry’s vital role in achieving net-zero emissions.