Zero-emission ambulance among winners of £25m tech fund

The government has announced the winners of a £25m fund for ‘ground-breaking’ zero emission technologies for new vehicles.

22 projects in total will share the fund, including £2.5m to develop a prototype for a zero-emission ambulance using fuel cell technology and almost £4m for a project that hopes to find an electric vehicle breakthrough in the agriculture industry.

Other projects to receive funding include:

• a project that will add an electric drive axle to a conventional diesel-powered truck, creating a hybrid engine which will store and reuse the electrical energy on the trailer.
• a research and development project to replace metals with new materials using recycled carbon fibres from aviation waste.
• a feasibility study into the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology as a zero-emission solution for utility and off-road vehicles.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: ‘We are committed to ensuring the UK continues to develop its world-leading reputation for excellence in the design and manufacturing of greener transport.

‘These exciting new projects, from Liverpool to Slough, are powering the future of zero-emission vehicles and through our modern Industrial Strategy. Investments like these will also enable us to realise our commitment for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040.’

© Projekt Grenadier. Who will receive £248,675 to help develop a hydrogen fuel cell 4X4.

Future of Mobility Minister Jesse Norman added: ‘The government continues to invest in technologies and innovation that help the UK to a zero emission future. This is a central part of our Future of Mobility Grand Challenge.’

The government’s hopes all new cars and vans will be zero-emission by 2040. However, there is still some way to go as only around 200,000 ultra-low emission vehicles are currently registered in the UK.

A full list of projects to be awarded funding is here.