Niche Vehicle Network backs low carbon car feasibility projects

The Niche Vehicle Network has awarded grants totalling £120,000 to 15 businesses to enable then to take low carbon vehicle feasibility projects. Each of business will receive £8,000 from the fund supported by Innovate UK and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

The Niche Vehicle Network provides innovation and networking support to UK low volume vehicle manufacturers, such as premium brand sports cars and specialist commercial vehicles, and their suppliers.

Winning feasibility projects include investigations into:

• An aerodynamic, passive battery-cooling floor pan for an innovative electric performance sports car
• The use of braided composites for lightweight crash structures
• A high voltage, high current electronic fuse for electric vehicle battery systems
• A lightweight composite bell-housing for niche powertrains
• Cost reductions from tubular chassis tooling and laser cutting operations
• The development of a lightweight, high energy density, swappable battery pack
• The development of a fully electric single-seater road car

The platooning of autonomous PODs for aerodynamic and power improvements

All projects will receive 75% of their project costs, and cover the balance of the costs with their own resources. Further details of all successful projects can be found on the Niche Vehicle Network website at www.nichevehiclenetwork.co.uk

Announcing the winners at the Niche Vehicle Network Member’s Forum, Dr Viv Stephens, network director, said: “Our short-term feasibility study programme is playing a vital role supporting UK engineering innovation. In the global automotive sector, highly creative and dynamic niche businesses are sometimes overlooked, and our three-month funding packages, provide important support to early market R&D projects such as these. This funding, provided by Innovate UK and OLEV, offers a helping hand towards commercialisation for many SMEs, who otherwise may struggle to make their innovative ideas a reality.”

Neale Ryan, portfolio manager, low carbon vehicles at Innovate UK said: “Innovate UK is delighted to continue our long-standing support for the niche vehicle sector via the NVN and we look forward to seeing the results of these projects in early 2017.”