£80m for tech that aids the move away from fossil fuels

Government has unveiled an £80 million investment to help develop technologies that will enable the UK’s road, rail, maritime and aviation networks move away from fossil fuels and towards electrification.

The investment will help ensure the UK is able to supply products both in the UK and abroad, to help cut carbon emissions from a range of industries including transport, energy, agriculture and construction.

Development of these new technologies – known as Power Electronics, Electric Machines and Drives (PEMD) – will be led by industry and academia and supported by over 130 organisations.

This collaboration will mean investment through four key strands to provide opportunities for industries in the UK to move away from fossil fuels, and new electric products. These four strands are:

Fast Start Fill the Gaps/Proof of Concept Programmes – a project that aims to fill identified gaps in the supply chain for PEMD;

Industrialisation Centres – aiming for the UK to develop the next generation of PEMD products such as electric vehicles and hybrid aircraft, as well as providing a focal point for the business community;

High efficiency, high volume supply chains – investing in the UK’s capability to develop the necessary machining tools for new manufacturing techniques; and

Low volume, high value supply chains – aiming to help just-in-time manufacturers to sustain long-term growth

The programme also supports clean growth by driving down costs and delivering a volume supply chain necessary to deliver low-carbon technologies – building partnerships between industries of all sizes.

UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport said: "Driving the Electric Revolution will strengthen the UK’s capability to deliver next generation electric vehicles, hybrid aircraft and smart grids. It will ensure these industries, both large and small, are rooted here in the UK attracting inward investment into our manufacturing base."

Dr Will Drury, Head of Electronics & Electric Machines Products, Ricardo Automotive & Industrial: "Underpinning the drive to reduce our carbon footprint and decrease global reliance on fossil fuels is electrification. This is occurring across every sector of society from energy generation for our homes to how we move about. Driving Electric Revolution challenge will underpin the growth of the UK supply chain critical to enlarge GDP and jobs in Power Electronics, Machines and Drives; an area in which the UK already has global recognition."