German-based international engineering service provider FEV has signed a £30m (US$40.7m) deal to build a clean transport lab in Coventry in the UK, as the company looks to spearhead research into advanced powertrain development.
The new technology center will open next door to Coventry University’s recently-launched £7m (US$9.5m) NTDC, providing the university’s technology park with transport-focused research and development facilities.
FEV are expected to use the facility to develop cleaner transport technologies, with a significant area of work set to be advanced propulsion systems.
The development will see the installation of four state-of-the-art powertrain test cells, allowing university and FEV researchers to test and improve performance and emissions on a range of different powertrain concepts, including hybridized, electric, conventional and alternative fuel propulsion systems.
Professor Stefan Pischinger, president and CEO at FEV, said of the partnership, “Close cooperation with leading universities has always been a crucial aspect which strengthens the innovative capability of FEV.
“It was thus a logical step for us to invest in the low carbon technology center. The cooperation will strengthen our presence in the UK and offers a great base for future development projects to achieve lowest emission mobility.”
Professor John Latham, vice chancellor at Coventry University, is optimistic about the deal. “The facility strengthens our existing portfolio of activities in this area, building on the work we’re doing through the National Transport Design Centre and our CAV programs to take our recent overall investment in transport research and development to over £40m (US$54m).”