A new £12 million centre for testing EVs and developing their high-voltage propulsion systems has opened in Milton Keynes.
On top of general EV testing, the 'electric vehicle centre of excellence' will develop powertrain components such as motors, inverters, axle modules and electrical systems.
It's owned by Intertek, which provides independent quality assurance testing for automotive companies around the world, including the Volkswagen Group.
The testing centre – which has already won the title of International’s Engine Test Facility of the Year in the Automotive Testing Technology International Awards – was officially opened today, with the ribbon being cut by Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, Iain Stewart.
The facility, which was partly funded by South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, includes ten EV powertrain test cells, a four-wheel drive full vehicle climatic test chamber and electric axle module test rigs. Three "state-of-the-art" eMotor dyno rigs that can operate at speeds of up to 27,000rpm are also featured, and several specialist "e-machine development rigs" help to complete electric vehicle testing.
Intertek says it will allow clients to “access world-class technical expertise, pioneering innovation and leading services in one location”. The group will "work with a range of vehicle manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers and fully expect the centre to be used by both new and existing customers as the electric vehicle sector continues to grow globally."
Intertek are intending for the facility, which employs 14 people, to appeal to new start-ups as well as major brands, saying: "some of the innovations in this facility open-up mainstream test capabilities to smaller companies by dramatically reducing initial setup costs."
It will also support the “increasing need for fast, bespoke, expert testing services and rapid results together with the latest knowledge and experience of the changing industry landscape”.
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More good news on the jobs front for the UK, how will Andy moan his way out of this one.
More taxpayers' money :)
The sunny uplands: turning an economy highly attractive into investors into a public funded economy.
Or put it differently: how do you recognise a sick capitalist economy? When the taxpayer funds the businesses.
This is good news, because there is now a race to develop electric powertrains and the vehicles and energy system of the future, so the UK needs to get ahead of the curve and adopt all these things faster. It will be better for the economy, our pockets, jobs, air quality and carbon emissions if we can do this. No more slacking.