Funding for sustainable transport academic studies awarded

12 November 2024 Five institutions have received new funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) Academic Advisory Group (AAG) from the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

The funding fires the starting pistol on Feasibility Sprint projects which aim to break new ground on topics related to accelerating the transition to more sustainable transport.

From batteries to prime-movers, manufacturing to software systems, the universities selected to complete these studies, delivered in collaboration with experts from industry, represent the R&D vanguards of the automotive sector

Successful applicants from universities across the country will receive grants between £30k and £70k, matched by commercial partners, and they must complete the sprint project by March 2025.

They include:

Applicant, Partner(s),
Project Description

WMG – University of Warwick, Redoxion

Integration of Redoxion’s proprietary-LFP process into WMG’s existing large-scale battery material synthesis and cell-assembly facility.

University of Cambridge, Bluetek Energy Solutions

Assessing the techno-economic feasibility of pulse charging and the development of a first-of-its-kind working technology demonstrator to engage with key stakeholders and assess market interest and requirements.

WMG – University of Warwick, Gencoa

Aiming to develop cost-effective, high-capacity, and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries using vacuum coating techniques, compatible with roll-to-roll processing for efficient manufacturing.

University of Nottingham, AutoNeura

Developing a state-of-the-art dynamometer self-tuning control system, reducing the development costs of new powertrains.   

Coventry University, Unipart Manufacturing Group, Gaussian, Taisan, Global Nano Network, Nyobolt

Analysing the complete battery value-chain, working with key partners, to provide a roadmap of the key technical challenges, skills gaps, and investment opportunities to build future scalable next-generation manufacturing capability.

Philippa Oldham, Stakeholder Engagement Director, APC said:

“AAG feasibility sprint studies aim to strengthen participation between academic institutions and commercial organisations encouraging new thinking that leads to growth and acceleration in the UK’s capability in sustainable technologies.

I am delighted that this group is already working on exciting projects from batteries to powertrains and software systems. The UK is a fantastic place for research and our world-leading universities are at the cutting-edge of innovation for net-zero vehicles.”

The UK is globally recognised for its ability to innovate. Our universities constantly rank in the global top 10 for their standards of education. Established in 2024, the AAG aims to capitalise on this reputation by enabling collaboration between academia, government, and industry to help identify key research areas and provide foresight on future disruptive, innovative, zero-emission technologies.

The AAG is formed of academics who are leading research in areas of interest to achieve the zero-emission goal of the APC and its partner organisations.

Find out more about the AAG and its members.