The UK government has further backed its own plans to phase out petrol and diesel engine technology within the decade by investing £30m in projects which could speed up the switch to greener fuel solutions.

The monies will be spent on 22 different studies across the UK, with the aim of furthering understanding of electric and hydrogen vehicle production. It is hoped that over the next ten years Great Britain will be a global leader in battery-electric and hybrid innovation, creating jobs and boosting the economy.
“We have set an ambitious target to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030,” said investment minister Gerry Grimstone. “To support that, it is crucial we invest in research so we can power ahead with the shift to electric vehicles as we build back greener from the pandemic.

“The world-leading research announced today showcases the very best of British innovation and it will support all stages of the automotive supply chain to make the switch to electric vehicles - from developing batteries, to exploring how to recycle them.”

The projects earmarked for funding include a low-carbon lithium hydroxide plant in Cornwall, a lightweight magnet plant in Cheshire and the testing of a lightweight hydrogen fuel tank in Loughborough.

The government will also hand £22.6m to the Faraday Institution to explore battery safety and help put an end of battery-cell fires.

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