Set to put Bristol and Bath at the forefront of low carbon vehicle research, the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems has received the government funding it needs to begin the build next summer.
“I look forward to this fantastic facility opening its doors in 2020, helping to ensure the UK maintains and expands its global position within the automotive sector”
The proposal, which has the Bristol and Bath Science Park as the facility’s location, was put forward by the University of Bath to build on the success of the its internationally award-winning Powertrain and Vehicle Research Centre which saw partnerships with some of the biggest names in the automotive engineering sector – Ford, McLaren, Jaguar Land Rover and Airbus to name just a few.
To find out more about the IAAPS proposal and funding announcement, have a watch of the video below:
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell comments: “I am delighted that IAAPS has received the support and backing of the Government. The University of Bath has over 40 years of automotive research excellence in collaboration with some of the world’s leading companies and is ideally placed to turn this opportunity into a reality.
“I look forward to this fantastic facility opening its doors in 2020, helping to ensure the UK maintains and expands its global position within the automotive sector.”
World-class research
It’s hoped that, when IAAPS opens in 2020, it will be deemed a global centre of excellence, delivering transformational research and innovation into advanced propulsion systems. It will lead the development of future generations of ultra-low emission vehicles with state-of-the-art equipment and attract sector-related businesses to the region, generating economic growth.
IAAPS will also exploit the engineering expertise of the University of Bath for the benefit of the UK’s automotive industry, stimulating over £67m in additional automotive research investment by 2025, creating an additional turnover of £800 million for the UK automotive sector and supporting nearly 1,900 new highly productive jobs.
“Supporting innovation and business growth is key to the economic success of the West of England”
Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson tells us: “The UK’s world-renowned leadership in science, research and innovation is helping to solve a range of national and global challenges, and the breadth of the projects funded today means this will continue.
“Through our Industrial Strategy and £4.7 billion investment for research and development, we’re ensuring we capitalise on the great work taking place in universities across the UK and remain at the forefront of innovation.”
Local support
Whilst the construction of the £60m IAAPS facility will be enabled by the £29m funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s UK Research Partnership Investment Fund, the West of England Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership has also now confirmed support for the project with the allocation of £10m through the Local Growth Fund.
The West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles, adds: “I’m delighted that through the Joint Committee we’ve been able to support the development of this global centre of excellence in our region. Supporting innovation and business growth is key to the economic success of the West of England.”
Vice-President of Implementation at IAAPS Steve Egan adds: “This grant is another important milestone in turning our Institute into a reality. We are delighted to receive such significant funding from the West of England Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership. Our industrial partners in the automotive industry and beyond have played a key role in our progress so far and will continue to be vital to our future success.”
To find out more about the facility, check out the IAAPS website or follow the University of Bath on Twitter for regular updates here: @UniofBath.
