Millions of pounds poured into sustainable transport projects in UK

More than £10 million has been invested into hydrogen-powered buses in Northern Ireland Credit: APC

Millions of pounds worth of funding for innovative sustainable transport projects has been invested through a combination of governments and private companies, co-ordinated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).

In Northern Ireland for example, £11.2 million has been invested into the development and manufacture of low-cost hydrogen fuel cell bus technology and a hydrogen centre of excellence with Wrightbus in Ballymena.

This comes after the Northern Irish Government announced an investment of £66 million to purchase zero-emissions buses to run on Translink and Ulsterbus networks, which will also be made by Wrightbus.

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) collaborates with UK government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies, supporting the transition to deliver net-zero emission vehicles. 

“We are delighted to have guided the latest investment of more than £54 million in the development and production of innovative powertrains to further accelerate the transition of the automotive sector to a net-zero future,” said Ian Constance, Chief Executive at the APC.

“The funding will enable the UK to apply its world-class innovation and experience in electrification of vehicles across the supply chain in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

“From fuel cell technology for buses, designed and built in Ballymena, a lightweight electric powertrain for commercial vehicles developed and manufactured in Wales…today’s announcement secures and creates nearly 10,000 jobs and will cut CO2 emissions equivalent to removing the lifetime emissions of nearly 1.8 million cars.”

 “The UK is leading the world by developing cutting edge technology that will help to tackle climate change and lead to a green, prosperous future for our automotive sector,” added UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

“These projects will not only help accelerate the wider application of greener technology in lorries and buses, but will also help generate the high-skilled jobs to level up regions across the UK while ensuring we build back greener.”

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean stressed the need for the transport industry to incorporate new and innovative technology if it is to achieve ambitious climate goals set by the UK Government.

“As we look to reduce our carbon emissions, strive towards our net-zero goals and level up right across the UK, the whole transport sector will need to embrace new innovative technology such as green hydrogen and these projects are a fantastic example of doing just that,” she said.

“I’m proud to see the UK leading the way in the global transition to zero-emission vehicles. In the next decade, we’ll continue to be at the forefront of their design, manufacture and use as we build back greener.”