Millbrook announces powertrain facility investment

New facilities will enable Millbrook to test four-wheel-drive, high-performance and complex hybrid and electric vehicles

Vehicle testing company Millbrook is investing almost £2 million in upgrading its powertrain facility.

Fully compliant with the incoming World Light-duty Test Procedures, the new facilities will enable Millbrook to test four-wheel-drive, high-performance and complex hybrid and electric vehicles.

The move follows the upgrade of nine test cells in 2015, and will add capacity for developing vehicles with lower emissions and lower energy consumption.

Building is set to start in March, following an adjusted road layout that includes new power-lines and a new fire ring mains system.

Phil Stones, head of powertrain, emissions and fuel economy at Millbrook, said: “The investment will allow Millbrook to test all vehicles, regardless of powertrain, to all current and pending future regulations. It will improve the efficiency of testing and data accuracy. It also represents an investment to aid the industry to develop, cer-tify and verify vehicles and products in the challenging world of air-quality emissions and fuel-economy targets.”

Dr Ann Limb, chair of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We support Millbrook in its plans for sustainable growth in the south-east Midlands.”