Skip to main content

UK government announces investment in electric and hybrid battery research

The UK Government has announced an investment of £9 million (US$14.4 million) with a further £4 million (US$6.3 million) from industry into new Energy Storage R&D Centre which will work to accelerate the development of the next generation of batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills hopes that the new £13 (US$20.7 million) million centre, which will be based at the University of Warwick, will help the UK to capitalise on the growing electric and hybrid ve
September 7, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The UK Government has announced an investment of £9 million (US$14.4 million) with a further £4 million (US$6.3 million) from industry into new Energy Storage R&D Centre which will work to accelerate the development of the next generation of batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills hopes that the new £13 (US$20.7 million) million centre, which will be based at the University of Warwick, will help the UK to capitalise on the growing electric and hybrid vehicle battery market, which it has been estimated will be worth £250 million (US$ 398.6 million) to the country by 2020.

The centre is the latest move by Government to secure future growth opportunities for the UK’s automotive sector, building on its £400 million (US$637.7 million)commitment over the next four years to supporting electric cars and other ultra-low carbon vehicles.

Business Minister Michael Fallon said: “I’m pleased to announce this joint Government and industry project to develop an energy storage R&D centre at the University of Warwick. It will put the UK in a much stronger, competitive position to capitalise on a growing worldwide market for low carbon vehicles, alongside other world leaders in the field including the United States, Japan and Germany. “

Related Content

  • Accelerator programme seeks UK start-ups to lead transport revolution
    September 7, 2017
    Start-up businesses with innovative solutions to transport challenges such as congestion, overcrowding, emissions and road safety, are being encouraged to apply for a unique new accelerator programme launched at Cenex-LCV. The Intelligent Mobility (IM) Accelerator, based in Milton Keynes, a partnership between Transport Systems Catapult and Wayra UK, part of Telefónica Open Future, is designed to attract disruptive start-ups with high-growth potential into the UK transport industry
  • South Australian Government launches $10 million AUS autonomous vehicle program
    October 11, 2016
    The South Australian Government is set to invest AU$10 million to boost testing, research and development of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies in South Australia. Transport and infrastructure minister Stephen Mullighan launched the initiative on day one of the ITS World Congress.
  • Shock therapy: jolt for EV charging needed
    October 2, 2018
    As sales of electric vehicles accelerate, the growth of charging infrastructure is in need of a big boost. Graham Anderson reports on whether Europe is up to it. Utilities, technology companies and vehicle manufacturers are battling to put in place new charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe in response to a predicted dramatic surge in demand. Market experts believe that rapidly falling battery costs – which make up about one third of the costs of an electric car – and growing
  • Electric boats and ships 2017-2027: Large market emerging, says IDTechEx
    January 13, 2017
    Analysts at IDTechEx have issued a new report, Electric Boats and Ships 2017-2027 looking at this fragmented but often highly profitable and growing sector. It says there are already over 100 manufacturers of electric boats and ships. The report finds that the market for hybrid and pure electric boats and ships will rise rapidly to over US$20 billion worldwide in 2027 for non-military versions. The recreational boat market is the largest and fastest growing electric marine market in sales number, followe