The Advanced Propulsion Centre has announced more than £1m in support to 14 micro, small and medium-sized companies, developing innovative low-carbon technologies to significantly reduce vehicle emissions.
The grant funding comes as part of a phased 18-month process through the APC’s successful Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP), which supports smaller organisations on their journey from concept to a viable commercial product.
In addition to the financial backing of up to £100k, projects also benefit from access to industry experts helping them to identify routes to market; protect intellectual property and validate their technology.
The projects aim to develop cutting-edge technology across three strategic technology areas that will help to realise net-zero emission vehicles:
- Lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures
- Energy storage and energy management
- Electric machines and power electronics
Josh Denne, TDAP manager, explained: “SME’s play a crucial role in the low-carbon future of the automotive industry; by supporting companies at the beginning of their commercialisation journey we can ensure the UK stays competitive with some of the most exciting technological innovation in the sector.”
The winning projects are:
2D Tech – a spin-out from the University of Manchester developing graphene-enhanced lightweight materials and powertrain structures.
Agile Charging – a trailer-mounted EV fast charger with integrated battery storage that is easy to install, use and redeploy.
Balance Batteries – a lightweight, low-cost method of forming battery module cooling systems, specifically designed to accommodate cell expansion forces and allow near direct cooling of the cell faces.
CB2Tech – a spin-out of Cambridge University looking to commercialise high power battery technology that will meet the demands of many automotive applications.
Cheesecake Energy – a spin-out from the University of Nottingham developing energy storage technology to support the charging of electric vehicles, at a substantially lower cost than lithium-ion alternatives.
Electrical Cooling Solutions – a simulation platform that will make high fidelity, multi-physics simulations for electric machines more accessible to companies in the automotive sector.
Empel Systems – development of a scalable product family of multi-voltage electric drive modules offering high performance, unparalleled integration and flexibility with advancements in product value.
Functional Structures – a manufacturing process and software toolchain that enables digital flexible assembly of wiring using robotics and additive manufacturing methodologies.
Paragraf Limited – the creation of graphene-based sensors in power electronics to reduce control system complexity and improve motor efficiency.
Photocentric – use of additive manufacturing techniques to create a process that enables custom-mass manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries by 3d printing.
Sam Pearce Design – integrating in-wheel suspension to make a significant contribution to the lightweighting of electric vehicles.
Spark EV Technology – using journey data for bus, passenger vehicles and trucks to improve journey predictions for electric vehicles, reducing range/time anxiety and improving trust for drivers.
Upgrade Technology Engineering – a multi-chemistry battery concept that will improve the longevity of automotive battery packs and increase performance, whilst reducing production and servicing costs.
White Motorcycle Concepts – development of a revolutionary aerodynamic motorcycle, significantly improving the vehicle range and performance possible for the same electric charge.
The Advanced Propulsion Centre:
The APC works to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies which will help to realise net-zero emission vehicles, as part of the UK government’s commitment to end the country’s contribution to global warming by 2050.
Since its foundation in 2013, APC has funded more than 110 low-carbon projects, involving almost 300 partners. The technologies developed in these projects are projected to save in excess of 179 million tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of removing the lifetime emissions from 6.5 million cars.
APC projects have helped generate economic benefits too. Companies involved have seen turnover increases of 14–17%, with new jobs increasing by 8–10%. Together these have generated a 17% GVA uplift.
For more information, visit apcuk.co.uk
*Header image courtesy of Andreas Lischka from Pixabay.