West Midlands sees boost in zero-emission vehicle funding as part of UK-wide initiative
£130 million investment aims to secure jobs and drive automotive innovation
The West Midlands' automotive sector is set to benefit from nearly £130 million in investment as part of a national initiative to advance zero-emission vehicle technologies and secure over 1,800 jobs.
Announced by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the funding supports skilled jobs and reinforces the region's role as a powerhouse for automotive innovation in the UK.
The DRIVE35 programme, the largest government investment in the UK car industry since the post-war era, is a key component, propelling various projects aimed at accelerating the electrification of the automotive sector.
Industry Minister Blair McDougall emphasized the strategic importance of designing and building next-generation vehicles within Britain, reflecting commitment to reindustrialization and growth in regions like the West Midlands and beyond.
The investment extends to the connected and automated mobility (CAM) sector, anticipated to generate tens of thousands of jobs, with additional funding allocated to nine CAM Pathfinder projects to develop cutting-edge transport technologies.
Ian Constance, Chief Executive at the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, highlighted the collaborative approach between industry, government, and academia as vital to fostering long-term growth and placing the UK as a global leader in automotive innovation.
Companies based in the West Midlands, including Bentley Motors Limited, benefit from revolutionary projects set to drive local and national economic growth while significantly contributing to the global advancement of zero-emission technology.
This substantial investment showcases the depth of innovation within the UK's automotive sector and reinforces efforts to transition towards a sustainable and resilient future for vehicle manufacturing across regions such as the West Midlands.