UK’s Automotive Transformation Fund to present ideal ecosystem for EV investors, at JSAE

Advanced Propulsion Centre sets out JPY3640 billion of opportunities in UK’s electric vehicle supply chain at the JSAE annual congress in Japan

Dedicated fund to encourage investment and scaling-up of a sustainable supply chain for the UK electric vehicle market

Research by the UK government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) details how companies attending this year’s JSAE (annual congress of Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc) could benefit from up to JPY3640bn  (GBP24bn) of opportunities within the UK electric vehicle market over the next five years.

With the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles being phased out in the UK from 2030 the APC – which provides funding, support and insight to help the automotive sector transition towards net-zero – has identified growth opportunities for the global automotive market as a result of this new industrial revolution.

The ‘Strategic opportunities in passenger car electrification’ report breaks down the potential in 12 supply chain areas and will be a key focus at this year’s JSAE 2021 – a leading automotive engineering event held in Yokohama from 26-28 May. Due to the pandemic, this year’s event will be virtual. The Advanced Propulsion Centre will host the UK Pavilion in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy at the virtual event, where visitors will see how the UK Government’s Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), facilitated by the APC, is supporting businesses looking to invest in the UK automotive supply chain.

The ATF, which launched in July 2020 is a collaboration between the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for International Trade and Innovate UK, and sets out to put UK innovation at the centre of the global transition to net-zero emissions.

The ATF can provide support for investment in the key technology areas of batteries, fuel cells, motors, drives and power electronics, working to develop upstream supply chains as well as opportunities around recycling technologies.

The programme has already funded notable projects such as providing over JPY3,000m (GBP20m) for feasibility studies into scaling up the industrialisation of low-carbon emission vehicle technologies in the UK, and its associated supply chain.

During this year’s JSAE, the UK Pavilion will showcase the UK as an ideal ecosystem for long-term investors in the rapidly-growing global market for electric vehicles, with exhibitors representing some of the best of Britain’s net-zero carbon technology innovators.

Ian Constance, the APC’s Chief Executive, says: “The UK is driving forward with its low carbon propulsion technology aspirations with the transition to electric vehicles and zero tailpipe emission vehicles by 2030.

“The Advanced Propulsion Centre is at the heart of this evolution and, with our presence at JSAE 2021, we will show how the supportive supply chain that already exists in the UK, can help Japanese businesses develop and manufacture new battery and fuel cell technology and therefore efficiently serve the European market.

“The UK has a long history of collaboration with Japan and businesses have previously secured orders worth up to £1.5 million annually through the UK Pavilion at the JSAE.”

Since 2013, APC has helped to guide significant Research & Development in the UK, and continues to enable the development of a comprehensive, sustainable and competitive electrified automotive UK supply chain.

To find out more about the ATF and the APC visit www.apcuk.co.uk

About the Advanced Propulsion Centre

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) collaborates with UK government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies, supporting the transition to deliver net-zero emission vehicles.

Since its foundation in 2013, APC has funded 150 low-carbon projects involving 375 partners, working with companies of all sizes, and has helped to create or safeguard over 50,000 jobs in the UK. The technologies developed in these projects are projected to save over 260 million tonnes of CO₂, the equivalent of removing the lifetime emissions from 10.2 million cars.

With its deep sector expertise and cutting-edge knowledge of new propulsion technologies, APC’s role in building and advising project consortia helps projects start more quickly and deliver increased value. In the longer term, its work to drive innovation and encourage collaboration is building the foundations for a successful and sustainable UK automotive industry.

In 2019 the UK government committed the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to accelerate the development of a net-zero vehicle supply chain, enabling UK-based manufacturers to serve global markets. ATF investments are awarded through the APC to support strategically important UK capital and R&D investments that will enable companies involved in batteries, motors and drives, power electronics, fuel cells, recycling, and associated supply chains to anchor their future.

For more information go to apcuk.co.uk or follow us @theapcuk on Twitter and Advanced Propulsion Centre UK on LinkedIn.