Regulatory Landscape
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REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Regulation is one 12 of the major drivers of change within the automotive sector; changes happening at almost every level are forcing an evolution of the sector THE INNOVATION GAME: 34 David Moss, Nissan's Vice President, Vehicle Design and Development, discusses LCV innovation The UK automotive sector operates in a unique environment, with strategic alignment between industry and government support Ian Constance, While the internal combustion chief executive engine will remain part of the of the Advanced Propulsion Centre automotive ecosystem for some time to come, there is an increasing need to conserve fuel and minimise emissions lobal climate-change Europe. The UK automotive sector common technical interest. while maintaining compelling and air-quality operates in a unique environment, At the APC we have identified consumer propositions. agendas are driving with strategic alignment between a number of opportunity areas This is leading to increased rapid technological industry and government support. that align strong capability and electrification of the vehicle change within The UK combines world-leading good potential for growth in powertrain, which in turn the automotive research, world-renowned organisations operating in the UK is disrupting incumbent sector. This, in aptitude for innovation and with likely market demand. These supply chains, and providing turn, is creating world-class manufacturing provide the potential for the UK opportunities for organisations new opportunities productivity. to assert a strong future supply- willing to embrace change. globally, as Combining these advantages chain position, given suitable Organisations operating international, in a collaborative approach investment. Identifying these in the UK can build upon the national and local underpins the aims of the opportunities is a step towards advantages and capabilities regulations drive Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) providing a foundation for further afforded by the British action on CO2 emissions and programme. The APC co-invests dialogue and focused support, to automotive sector, allowing other air pollutants. At the same in collaborative research and build on existing advantages in them to capitalise upon these time, technological evolution development projects, building these areas. technology-led disruptions to is disrupting many sectors. upon UK government investments Our programmes explore existing supply-chain positions. Automotive, for example, is seeing made via the Engineering and the opportunities arising from It is clear, however, that a huge push for the long-term Physical Sciences Research strategic technologies identified international competition development of connected and Council and Innovate UK, to by the Automotive Council. Aside for these opportunities is autonomous vehicles. accelerate the development of from the internal combustion fierce and that the incumbent Fortunately, the UK is well low-carbon and low-emissions engine, these programmes supply chain is very strong. placed to capitalise on these technologies towards production. support development in electric The UK must therefore act trends. The UK market for low- In addition, the APC is facilitating machines and power electronics, quickly and use collaboration carbon and low-emissions broader collaboration through energy storage and management, to mount an effective challenge, technologies is accelerating the Spokes network, which draws and lightweight vehicle and if these opportunities are not LOW CARBON VEHICLES: THE ROAD TO A CLEANER FUTURE faster than many others in together communities with a powertrain structures. to turn into threats. 3 THE ADVANCED CONTENTS PROPULSION CENTRE The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) was formed in 2013 from a commitment between the Government and the automotive 6 10 12 industry through the Automotive Council to position the UK as a global centre of excellence Industry Outlook Key LCV innovations The regulatory for low-carbon powertrain over time landscape development and production. APC is a central pillar of the industrial strategy created by the Automotive Council. The APC is a private limited company, an industry-wide 16 22 24 collaboration of innovators and producers of low-carbon propulsion systems. It facilitates UK investment in low Political will, the Investment in low partnerships between those carbon technologies lifeblood of LCV carbon innovations who have good ideas and those who can bring them to market. The services provided by the APC enable projects that provide profitable growth and sustainable opportunities for the partners involved. Each 26 28 30 programme enhances the UK’s position as a “propulsion nation” and contributes to the country’s Funding innovation Bridging the Simon Edmonds economic prosperity. in the UK skills gap The Government and industry have each committed to provide £500 million to the APC during its ten-year programme. The activity in this £1 billion project will be delivered through a small 32 34 36 team working across the UK from a central hub located at the University of Warwick and Drive to the Future The Innovation Investment in regional Spoke locations. Game opportunities Find out more about the APC at www.apcuk.co.uk. 39 42 44 Why the UK is an Moving forward: What might happen? automotive leader building on our strengths PUBLISHING MANAGER: Maram Alkadhi DESIGNERS: Giulia Flamini, Elisabetta Calabritto 46 48 COMMISSIONING EDITOR: Felicia Jackson CONTRIBUTORS: Looking Forward Innovation Paul Sillers, Celestine Cheong and R&D ecosystem he UK remains in companies and mainstream car thermal propulsion system”, pole position to take manufacturers building vehicles explains Jackson. advantage of the and their powertrain components The engine in a normal growth in low-carbon here in the UK. Much of this passenger vehicle operates at vehicles (LCVs), a product is exported and plays a a maximum of around 33 per global industry that strong role in the UK economy. We cent, while Formula One engines has been buoyed by The UK has have some of the most productive achieve closer to 50 per cent. “So a focus on cutting car plants in the world, and our there is considerable scope to carbon from our had a leading technologies are at the core of improve,” he says, believing that roads and meeting vehicles manufactured globally.” around 60 per cent is, perhaps, tough targets to role in the achievable in the medium term. clean our air. In the SUPPLY CHAIN BOOST While the UK is home to many UK, for instance, development One area in which the UK does global automotive players, there are plans for an 80 per cent and struggle is its lack of tier one many of the other companies reduction in the C02 produced suppliers, which in the automotive that have pushed the UK to the by transport by 2050 – and that introduction industry means those key forefront of LCV technology are means huge opportunities for businesses that integrate new SMEs and University spin-outs. innovative businesses. of low-carbon technologies into packages that These include Edinburgh-based “The UK has had a leading the vehicle manufacturers can Celtic Renewables, which is role in the development and vehicles incorporate into their products. commercialising Biobutanol – introduction of low-carbon This is one of the issues addressed made from the residues of the vehicles,” says Professor David Professor by a recent capability report Scottish malt whisky industry – Greenwood of WMG at the David Greenwood into Low Carbon Automotive as a new biofuel. University of Warwick. “We have a Propulsion Technologies from the Elsewhere, Controlled Power very strong research community, Advanced Propulsion Centre – a Technologies is developing a new excellent design-engineering decade-long, £1 billion partnership A key objective of the Advanced generation of technologies for between the Government and Propulsion Centre has been more affordable “mild” hybrid the automotive industry. The to help develop these supply- vehicles, while Tevva is working report talks of a technology- chain capabilities by attracting on the first range-extended urban led disruption of existing supply international tier one companies delivery truck. chains, which, coupled with to set up in the UK, building Another key factor in the UK, the UK’s resurgent vehicle- links with suppliers in adjacent continues Jackson, is “the strong From hybrids to hydrogen fuel cells, efficient manufacturing sector, is creating industries and helping small working relationship between engines to lightweight bodies, the automotive a window of opportunity for UK and medium-sized enterprises industry and government and industry is changing, responding to pressure supply businesses. But, warns the (SMEs) grow their capabilities. how it supports and accelerates to create a new generation of vehicles that are report, “the competition is fierce It is the symbiotic relationship research and development so it and the UK supply chain needs to between every element of the can have real impact”. cleaner and more sustainable act quickly”. supply chain that means each new The Advanced Propulsion breakthrough is of benefit to the Centre has created a Spokes UK automotive sector as a whole. Network charged with bringing academic and industrial research SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE and development communities The UK has proved adept at together to collaborate in all “exploiting its science base”, aspects of research, from according to Neville Jackson, Chief fundamental science through to