Winners of low-carbon vehicle technology competition secure £2.5 million funding

David Tozer, head of land transport at Innovate UK, said: “The breadth of innovation awarded funding by the NVN is testament to a hugely dynamic and forward-thinking sector. High quality projects covering everything from battery innovation, hybridisation, lightweighting and electric motors showcase the best the niche sector has to offer.

“It also continues to build what is a strong pipeline of technology development in support of the UK’s future of mobility. I wish the projects every success and look forward seeing the outputs next year.”

A total of 14 new research and development projects will receive grant funding:

• Motorcycle instant top-up battery system – the first modular battery system with quick change capability for use in a motorcycle.
• Lightweight electric cycle – a step change in Pedelec integration and rider controls delivering a 40% weight reduction.
• Recycled carbon fibre composite body panels – demonstrated on the vehicle roof and tailgate of an electric hearse.
• Reduced induction field torque drive – electric motor configuration that reduces the material and manufacturing cost of electric motors by up to 80%.
• All composite reduced inertia modular wheels – lightweight, optimised wheels that can improve efficiency by up to 10%.
• High power density e-powertrain – development from E Classic – electrification of a Mini with scope to cover light commercial vehicles.
• Project 356 – integrated chassis platform, utilising battery modules and drivetrain components to eliminate the requirement for a stand-alone battery enclosure.
• Cargo POD – electric, inwheel powered, autonomous cargo pod with AI control system to optimise the use of Lithium and Carbon Ion power.
• Articulating lightweight electric cargo solution – a lightweight, zero emission, last mile delivery e-trike.
• Low-cost 48v mild hybrid powertrain – integration of a mild hybrid system for low volume road-car applications with future motorsport application.
• Aerodynamic motorcycle design – enhanced range, stability and potential for heat exchanger cooling on next generation electric motorcycles.
• Battery Passport – equivalent to an odometer for EV batteries to show battery health at the point of recycling / re-purposing, reducing cost and EV CO2 footprint.
• 11 tonne electric drive axle – for use in development of a plug-in hybrid refuse collection vehicle.
• Hybrid titanium carbon fibre road wheel – providing a 50% reduction in inertia and the potential to improve overall vehicle efficiencies by 3-5%.

Each project is collaborative between a minimum of three UK-based companies, with the lead company an SME that is active in the UK low-carbon niche vehicle technology sector.

All of the schemes will receive 50% of their project costs, and cover the balance using their own resources.

Jon Beasley, director of technology and projects at the Advanced Propulsion Centre, said: “We continue to see that members of the NVN, and SMEs generally, contribute to the success of the UK automotive industry. Their speed of development, lower restriction regarding legacy programmes and flexibility regarding market implementation allow for the new technologies to be accelerated to market compared with generally shorter development cycles. The opportunity to demonstrate real-world applications through specialised or niche vehicles provides invaluable market feedback and knowledge that can be used to support products for future higher volume applications and markets.”

As an independent association of niche vehicle manufacturers, technology companies, system suppliers, research organisations, and design and engineering companies, the NVN focuses on the application of innovative technologies in specialist vehicle development and production.