Today, Tuesday 11^th April 2017, Business Secretary Greg Clark and Transport Minister John Hayes have announced a range of research funding which included a total of £4.25 million for a high energy battery research project, and an autonomous vehicle research project at WMG at the University of Warwick.

The first project at WMG covered by this announcement is a project led by BMW Group, to design and develop power dense batteries in the UK - one of key steps needed for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

WMG has received a grant of £3.8m for its part in the project, which will bring together BMW, WMG at the University of Warwick and Delta Motorsport.

Professor Dave Greenwood from WMG said:

“This research collaboration will utilise WMG’s electrochemical materials and engineering expertise, and use WMG’s world class battery testing and validation facilities, for understanding optimal power density in application of Li-ion battery cells, modules and packs. It will push forward the boundaries of existing knowledge of Li-ion cells and battery systems to support higher power capabilities than is currently normal within commercial systems, and to apply this to the developed system. While most mass market car battery applications are more focused on high energy density, higher power will be more important for other vehicle and transport sectors such as; high performance cars, rail, marine, buses, trucks, and off-road vehicles.

Ian Constance, Chief Executive of the APC, said:

“The sixth round of APC funding demonstrates the depth of low carbon development that is in the UK. From powertrain, to lightweighting, to energy storage, these new projects will not only lower emissions but secure thousands of jobs, address supply chain gaps, and help the UK become a true global leader in advanced vehicle technology.”

The second project covered by the two Ministers’ announcement is CAPRI - an AECOM-led consortium that has secured funding from Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) to deliver an on-road mobility service pilot using connected and autonomous vehicles. The pilot project includes the design, development and testing of new autonomous and connected PODs, culminating in on-road trials at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. WMG will receive £450,000 for its work in the project.

Professor Carsten Maple from WMG said:

“We will be addressing the Cyber-physical security of the PODs. We will undertake threat modelling, considering all of the possible attackers and methods for remote and local, physical and cyber attacks. Using this modelling we will undertake risk analysis and management to secure the vehicles.”

PJD PR801

11th April 2017

For further information please contact:

Lisa Barwick - Head of Marketing & Communications, WMG
Tel: 024 7652 4721 or 07824 540845
Email: L dot Barwick at warwick dot ac dot uk

Or

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy
University of Warwick
Tel UK 024 76523708 office
07767 655860 mobile

Tel Overseas: +44 (0)24 76523708 office

+44 (0)7767 655860 mobile/cell
Email: p dot j dot dunn at warwick dot ac dot uk