Warwickshire - a power hub for Low Carbon Vehicles
With strict CO² emissions targets to meet, vehicle manufacturers are accelerating their shift towards low carbon technologies. That is great news for the environment - and for the region of Coventry & Warwickshire as an established leader in the design, development and deployment of low carbon vehicle technologies.
Here, Steph Williams (pictured), an Inward Investment Officer at Warwickshire County Council, takes a closer look at how the business networks and research centres of Coventry and Warwickshire, with their expertise in electric, hybrid-electric, fuel cells and energy storage, hydrogen power, powertrain, system integration, lightweighting and manufacturing, are leading the way.
Low Carbon Vehicle Excellence
Coventry and Warwickshire is a national hot-spot of low carbon vehicle excellence. With a long association with the automotive industry, it boasts the highest concentration of OEMs (vehicle makers) in the UK, with R&D and manufacturing centres for leading names such as BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, Geely London Taxi, Tata Motors and Dennis Eagle. In recent years the strong local supply chain has developed its capabilities in low carbon powertrain and related activity.
The region is well-placed with extensive R&D capabilities which are supportive of workforce upskilling and actively generate a pipeline of new engineering talent.
Our impressive research centres, meanwhile, support many businesses, helping them to advance their green technology and also providing a test-bed for proving new technologies:
- The Energy Innovation Centre part of Warwick Manufacturing Group, at the University of Warwick, has extensive research facilities and expertise in lightweighting, powertrain, systems integration and advanced propulsion technologies.
- HORIBA MIRA provides extensive engineering expertise in HEV systems, powertrain systems, thermal management, weight reduction and aerodynamics along with impressive testing facilities and a specialised proving ground. In addition MIRA Technology Park is Europe’s fastest growing transport focused centre, attracting OEMs and tier ones from across the globe, including Changan, Bentley and Toyota. It’s the ideal location for engineering companies wanting to advance their research and development on-site.
- The Manufacturing Technology Centre offers an environment for development and demonstrates new manufacturing and component systems to support the production of low carbon technology.
- The Advanced Propulsion Centre is a government initiative designed to support the UK’s position in developing and advancing the next generation of propulsion technology, including vehicle lightweighting. The centre issues funding to encourage collaborative projects between industry and academia focusing at the higher end of the technology, readiness level 6-8, aiming for commercialisation.
- National Low Carbon Centre (NLCC) is being developed at Stoneleigh Park and intends to become a centre of excellence for the UK Low Carbon sector. The NLCC will stimulate and encourage the transition to a low carbon economy and demonstrates innovative processes and emerging technologies. The Centre is partnering with three leading Midlands universities: Coventry, Aston and Birmingham.
Future Visions
JLR recently issued visionary plans to manufacture the next generation of electric cars in Coventry, subject to government support, to encourage the up-take of electric cars. The company recently showcased their visionary electric car, the IPace, and are involved in ongoing research in connected and autonomous technology.
The National Automotive Innovation Centre, located at the University of Warwick, will open later in 2017. The centre is a public/private initiative that brings together academics, students and OEMs including JLR and TATA and other OEMs to develop the low carbon vehicle technologies of the future.
Low carbon vehicles are imperative to meeting future emissions legislation and the Coventry and Warwickshire region is strongly-positioned to play a leading role in developing new technologies to accelerate the adoption of EV’s and HEV’s.
Become a part of Coventry & Warwickshire
Warwickshire's place at the forefront of the low carbon technology sector makes it the perfect location as a business-base now and for the future. Identifying where to establish a new business, or to relocate an existing one, is a huge decision but Invest Warwickshire offers free and confidential services and advice, including local commercial property searches, sector intelligence, employment and skills development support. Please contact us if you think we can help you.
Invest in Warwickshire E: invest@warwickshire.gov.uk T: 01926 412140