Northern companies benefit from Government electric vehicle backing

Nine companies around the North have won backing from the Drive35 programme

Northern companies have shown how the region is playing a major role in the switch to electric vehicles after securing Government backing for their work.

Nine companies around the region – including the giant Nissan plant at Sunderland – have won backing from the Government’s £4bn Drive35 programme, which is intended to speed up the electrification of the car industry. Officials at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade said the funding would support hundreds of jobs.

Among those benefitting are Gateshead’s Turntide Technologies for a £17m project to accelerate the production of new flux motors, and Manchester’s Watercycle Technologies, which has secured £3m to demonstrate how lithium for vehicle batteries can be recovered from waste.

Themulon, in Sedgefield, County Durham; Nexperia UK and Gravis Robotics, both in Stockport; Electra Commercial Vehicles in Brighouse; and Xerode, Aftrak and Cybass, all in Sheffield; have also secured financial backing.

Industry minister Blair McDougall said: “Britain invented the modern motor industry and we’re determined to ensure the next generation of vehicles are designed and built here too.

“This investment will secure skilled jobs, strengthen our manufacturing heartlands and help drive the reindustrialisation of Britain.”

As part of its project, Turntide will expand the use of its Gateshead production and R&D campus while reestablishing a dedicated component and validation facility in Cramlington, Northumberland. The company said the project would help it create new jobs.

CEO Steve Hornyak said: “Project Supreme is an important step in scaling next-generation electric motor technology production in the U.K. for the global market. By enabling high volume axial flux motor production through automation and overall cost reduction, we’re driving wider adoption of more efficient, lighter electric powertrains across automotive and industrial applications.”

At Watercycle Technologies, co-founder Dr Ahmed Abdelkarim said: “ReLiVE directly supports the UK’s ambition to build a secure, domestic supply of battery-grade lithium. The Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy sets a clear goal to establish large-scale UK lithium production and reduce our reliance on imports.

“By demonstrating that high-purity lithium can be produced from circular, low-carbon sources here in the UK, ReLiVE can help turn that ambition into reality. It shows how British innovation can support the transition to zero-emission transport while building the strategic capabilities the country needs for a more resilient battery supply chain.” for a more resilient battery supply chain.”

ReLiVE represents a significant step in scaling Watercycle’s technology from pilot operations towards commercial lithium production, demonstrating a circular approach to lithium refining at a scale not yet seen in the UK.

The Government has said it intends to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 as part of efforts to cut emissions and tackle climate change. Reports have suggested ministers are considering watering down the target in order to ease the cost of living, but a Government spokesperson insisted they were “committed to the 2030 phase-out date”.

Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said the Government should abandon the 2030 target.