New £30m Coventry centre 'could fill the gaps in UK low-carbon vehicle research'

A new £30m centre could “fill the gaps” in UK low-carbon research, its director has said.

Coventry University and German engineering firm FEV recently signed a deal for the clean transport lab, which will “spearhead” research into advanced vehicle powertrain development over the next decade.

University and FEV researchers aim to test and improve performance and emissions from different powertrain concepts including hybrid, electric, conventional and alternative fuel propulsion systems.  

“We want to fill some of the gaps which exist in the UK technology landscape,” director Hartwig Busch told Professional Engineering.

Work at the centre will focus on three key areas, said Busch: cutting emissions from internal combustion engines with optimisation, exhaust after-treatment and renewable fuel sources; building on Coventry University work on new hydrogen fuel cells; and electrifying powertrains by developing design validation techniques for electric drive units and battery packs.

The collaboration will let university researchers draw on expertise, knowledge, techniques and working methods from FEV “whenever required,” Busch said.  

This week, Birmingham engineering consultancy CWA announced its appointment to the project after previously working on the recently-launched £7m National Transport Design Centre, also in Coventry University’s Technology Park. “Together these projects will make a significant contribution to the local economy while supporting the motor industry, research and education, and the development of engineering talent,” said CWA director Jim O’Donnell.