Nottingham to host multimillion pound electric vehicle ‘Centre of Excellence’

An electric vehicle “Centre of Excellence” could be created at the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus after the government pledged to invest £30 million in four sites across the UK.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma has revealed plans to establish four sites which would be used to develop green electric machines including planes, ships and cars.

The other three centres would be located at Newport, Strathclyde and Sunderland.

The proposed sites have been dubbed “Driving the Electric Revolution Centres.”

A further £6.7 million will be awarded to 14 projects that will help ensure the final buyer in supply chains, such as large automotive manufacturers, can access the parts they need to develop electric machines with ease. GKN, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce are all understood to be involved.

The plans are part of the government’s efforts to ensure the UK reaches net zero emissions by 2050.

Sharma said: “The electric revolution is an opportunity for our transport sectors to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.

“The UK is leading the way in developing cleaner technologies to help us reach our target of zero emissions by 2050 and these new centres will play an important part in that.”

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean added: “Funding and increased support for state-of-the-art electric manufacturing centres will help people, goods and services move across the nation, in a greener, safer and more reliable way than ever before.

“By investing in world-leading science and engineering institutions, we are creating a modern transport system, bringing communities closer together while reducing the UK’s contribution to climate change.”