New £30 million lab to be built to research clean transport technologies

An artist’s impression of the new low carbon technology centre whose construction will begin soon on Coventry University’s Technology Park

The transport lab aims to to spearhead research into advanced powertrain development over the next decade and will open next door to Coventry University’s recently-launched £7 million National Transport Design Centre (NTDC).

Four state-of-the-art powertrain test cells will allow university and FEV researchers and engineers to test and improve performance and emissions on a range of different powertrain concepts, including hybridised, electric, conventional and alternative fuel propulsion systems.

“This new joint venture with FEV speaks of lasting confidence across Europe in the strength of industry and the quality of research and development in this country,” said Professor John Latham, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University. “The facility strengthens our existing portfolio of activities in this area, building on the work we’re doing through the National Transport Design Centre and our connected and autonomous vehicles programmes to take our recent overall investment in transport research and development to over £40 million.

 “Coventry and the wider Midlands clearly remain a draw for international companies wanting to push forward innovation in vehicle design and development, particularly in clean transport technologies, and we’re delighted as one of the region’s universities to be playing a role in attracting such investment.”

With FEV already working with a number of UK customers, these international names are expected to use the facility to develop cleaner transport technologies, with a significant area of work set to be in advanced propulsion systems.

“Close cooperation with leading universities has always been a crucial aspect which strengthens the innovative capability of FEV,” added Professor Stefan Pischinger, President and CEO of FEV Group. “It was thus a logical step for us to invest in the low carbon technology centre. The cooperation will strengthen our presence in the UK and offers a great base for future development projects to achieve lowest emission mobility.”