A £50million state-of-the-art facility for creating cleaner transport opened in Coventry today giving a major boost to the West Midlands automotive industry.
The Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) will support the development of the next generation of electric, hybrid and combustion engines.
It is a collaboration between Coventry University and global engineering specialist FEV Group.
The university claims it will create 36 new jobs, with a number of apprentices and graduates from Coventry University already appointed.
More than 40,000 square foot of purpose-built space on the university’s Technology Park will house some of the most advanced internal combustion and electrification test bed facilities currently available in the UK
The testing and research facility will develop new propulsion systems for use across automotive, aerospace, marine and rail sectors.
Minister for business and industry Richard Harrington MP – who was present at the launch – said: “This centre is a fantastic example of how leading international businesses are working in collaboration with the UK’s world-class universities to drive innovation.
“This new centre will combine our heritage in automotive with our leadership in clean growth to develop advanced, cleaner propulsion systems and other transport technologies.”
Deputy vice-chancellor for research at Coventry University Professor Richard Dashwood said: “This collaboration is very encouraging news and a welcome boost for the UK automotive industry.
“We have a real opportunity for the country to lead the rest of the world when it comes to developing low carbon propulsion systems and C-ALPS has a major role to play in making this happen.”
“Automotive is naturally the first target, but the technology will also be available to support the evolution of other sectors.”
The location in the heart of the Midlands automotive industry was a major attraction and the investment will create world class test bed facilities that will prove invaluable to the sector’s move towards new powertrain solutions, the university claims.
