The Scottish Government is investing £7 million to support zero emission mobility across two new innovation projects involving the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) at Strathclyde.
The LOCATE facility, which will be based at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) site in Dundee, will receive £4 million to support heavy duty vehicle platform testing and innovation, particularly around hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric powertrains.
The project is being developed by the Scottish Government in partnership with the PNDC and the Hydrogen Accelerator at the University of St Andrews. Both facilities are closely related, working in partnership to help lay the foundations for a wider ecosystem of innovation infrastructure.
The PNDC will also receive £3 million to focus on the decarbonisation of heavy duty vehicles through battery electrification and charging technology.
Major role
The complementary facilities have the potential to support other recent initiatives such as the Hydrogen Train demonstrator project led by Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with Transport Scotland, the University of St Andrews Hydrogen Accelerator and MSIP.
These facilities will support Scotland’s industrial base for heavy-duty vehicles in the marine, aerospace, off-highway, road and rail sectors.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, of the University of Strathclyde said: “The electrification of transport will play a major role in Scotland, the UK and the world meeting its targets for carbon emissions reductions.
This new investment will help us to apply our internationally-recognised excellence in electrical power systems, power electronics, machines and manufacturing technologies towards solving one of the biggest challenges we face.
"We are delighted to be awarded this funding from the Scottish Government and to be working in partnership with our colleagues at the University of St Andrews.”
Jacqueline Redmond, Power Networks Demonstration Centre Executive Director, said: “We are delighted to be working with Transport Scotland in driving forward the Scottish low carbon economy and growth of the local mobility supply chain.
“By connecting Scottish universities, innovation centres and initiatives, Including the Power Networks Demonstration Centre, Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centre Scotland partners, MSIP and the Hydrogen Accelerator – this will accelerate the realisation of a strategic low carbon transport workforce to support Scotland’s green recovery.
“This investment will further ensure that the whole-system benefits of zero-emission transport systems are fully understood, validated and realised through targeted and collaborative innovation, thereby accelerating the realisation of net-zero transportation, maximising the opportunities for low/zero emissions transport systems deployment, and encouraging inward investment from OEMs and international markets.”
Climate targets
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “I’m pleased the Scottish Government is investing a further £7 million to strengthen our collaborative work to develop zero emission mobility solutions for transport.
“Working across government, industry and academia, I want to see Scotland at the forefront of the revolution in zero-emission mobility. This action supports our world-leading climate targets as we work to eliminate transport emissions – but also helps us secure the benefits for Scottish businesses and industry in being the first to transition to a net-zero economy.
“We need no reminders of Scotland’s rich history when it comes to invention and new ideas. Through close partnerships, we’re enabling cutting edge innovation that responds to the climate emergency by building exciting clusters of innovation and collaboration. I’m excited to see this important work continue at pace and look forward to the results which will follow.”