The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) has announced its latest project funded through the UK Government’s DRIVE35 Collaborate programme.
Toyota will lead a consortium to research and develop a new lightweight battery electric vehicle in Derbyshire. The £30.3m project includes a £15m grant from the Department for Business and Trade, supported by the APC’s Collaborate funding competition.
The project aims to meet the changing needs of urban populations while helping the shift to zero tailpipe emission transport by validating a novel, lightweight battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the L6e category. The vehicle will be manufactured at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s (TMUK) Burnaston site and addresses the growing demand for sustainable micro-mobility solutions. It includes an integrated solar roof, increased connectivity and lightweight sustainable materials supporting recovery and recycling.
“APC is very proud to be able to support Toyota with this Electric Vehicle (EV) urban mobility project, which embodies much of what DRIVE35 aims to support – innovation, UK competitiveness, productivity, and zero emission vehicles,” said Rik Adams, Innovation Delivery Director, The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, “As an integral part of the UK automotive industry, we are delighted that Toyota is partnering with some of our innovative SME businesses, such as ELM, and our world-class academics from the University of Derby, to deliver a cutting-edge vehicle concept designed, developed, and tested in the UK.”
The consortium includes ELM – a specialist in lightweight urban delivery vehicles, Savcor – to lead the solar PV lightweight roof design and integration, the University of Derby and Toyota Motor Europe.