Coventry and Warwickshire will receive a multi-million pound boost from a new initiative to help develop vehicles of the future.
The University of Warwick is the location for the nationwide Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) which was formed to channel £1 billion into the UK’s automotive industry over the next ten years to help develop, commercialise and manufacture advanced propulsion technologies in the UK.
Automotive propulsion focuses on the research, development and commercialisation of technologies for vehicles of the future.
The APC, in partnership with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Technology Strategy Board, is part of the government and automotive industry’s aim to put the UK at the global centre of low carbon propulsion development and production.
The initiative will mean the partnership between the APC and industry will secure at least 30,000 jobs currently linked to producing engines as well as creating others in the supply chain.
Jonathan Browning, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said this was extremely good news for the area.
“Coventry and Warwickshire is now recognised as a natural location for this kind of work because of our reputation as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and engineering,” he said.
“Not only does it say a great deal about the University of Warwick but it speaks volumes for the expertise and skills of people working in such a key area.
“Developing technology for vehicles of the future is extremely prestigious development work and for the University of Warwick to be at the forefront underlines our area’s reputation for leading the way in the sector.
“With the government and industry working together, the UK will be at the forefront of designing the next generation of vehicles which will be powered by different technologies.
“The innovative work which will be carried out at the Advanced Propulsion Centre hub on collaborative low carbon vehicle projects will benefit the entire supply chain so this is a really exciting time for Coventry and Warwickshire.”