July/August 2019

n NEWS THE GOVERNMENT is investing £80m in a programme to help develop the power electronics, electrical machine and drive (PEMD) technologies needed for the next generation of electric vehicles and hybrid aircraft. The investment – through its Industrial Strategy programme – will help the UK to supply products that will cut carbon emissions in industries such as transport, energy, agriculture and construction. The “Driving the Electric Revolution” initiative will be led by industry and academia and supported by more than 130 organisations. The investment is part of the government’s “Future of Mobility Grand Challenge”, aimed at transforming the way people work and travel. Key targets include: n accelerating the delivery of electric and hybrid aircraft by 2040; n delivering zero-carbon road transport by 2040; and n eliminating diesel rolling stock from UK railways by 2040. The investment will target four key areas aimed at providing opportunities for UK industries to move away from fossil fuels, and towards new electric products. They are: n filling gaps in the PEMD supply chain via fast-start proof-of-concept programmes; n setting up industrialisation centres to develop the next generation of PEMD products for EVs and hybrid aircraft; n establishing high-efficiency, high-volume supply chains, and developing the tools needed for newmanufacturing techniques; and n creating low-volume, high-value supply chains to help just-in-time manufacturers to sustain long-term growth. “Driving the Electric Revolution will strengthen the UK’s capability to deliver next- generation electric vehicles, hybrid aircraft and smart grids,”says UK Research and Innovation’s chief executive, Professor Sir MarkWalport.“It will ensure these industries, both large and small, are rooted here in the UK attracting inward investment into our manufacturing base.” Dr Will Drury, head of electronics and electric machines products at Ricardo Automotive & Industrial, adds that the challenge “will underpin the growth of the UK supply chain critical to enlarge GDP and jobs in power electronics, machines and drives”. http://revolution.business/electric5 For more on developments in transportation, see the feature starting on page 34 £80m PEMD programme will help the UK to develop next-gen EVs The Driving the Electric Revolution programme will help UK manufacturers to develop technologies for advanced, low-emission forms of transport. In one project of this type, M&I Materials, WMG and Ricardo are collaborating to develop a new form of EV battery cooling that could improve power outputs and extend vehicle ranges. Image:

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