Four British engineering firms that will use technology initially designed for Formula One cars in buses and diggers to improve fuel efficiency have been granted funding totalling more than £28 million.
Ford, GKN Land Systems, Cummins and JCB and its partner Flybrid will share the cash – which will support investment of £133 million – for projects that will reduce fuel usage and lower carbon emissions, according to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS).
The projects are among the first to receive the cash from a joint £1 billion government-industry Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) which aims to make the UK a world leader in environmentally-friendly vehicles.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The next generation of cars, buses and diggers will be powered by radically different technologies and I want them to be developed here in Britain.
“The government’s industrial strategy is giving business the confidence to invest, securing high-skilled, long-term jobs and creating a stronger economy.”
Companies will soon be able to bid for a further £75 million from the APC with the launch of its second competition. The APC will now run bi-annual competitions which will open in April and October every year.