£7 million for zero emission mobility innovation

The Scottish Government is investing £7 million to support zero emission mobility across two new innovation projects.

The LOCATE facility, which will be based at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) site in Dundee, will shortly receive £4 million to support heavy duty vehicle platform testing and innovation, particularly around hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric powertrains. This project is being developed by the Scottish Government in partnership with the Power Networks Demonstration Centre and the Hydrogen Accelerator at the University of St Andrews.

The Power Networks Demonstration Centre, part of the University of Strathclyde, is receiving £3 million to focus on the decarbonisation of heavy duty vehicles through battery electrification and charging technology.

Both facilities are closely related, working in partnership to help lay the foundations for a wider ecosystem of innovation infrastructure. Furthermore, the complementary facilities have the potential to support other recent initiatives such as the Hydrogen Train demonstrator project led by Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with Transport Scotland, the University of St Andrews Hydrogen Accelerator and MSIP. These facilities will support Scotland’s industrial base for heavy-duty vehicles in the marine, aerospace, off-highway, road and rail sectors.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “I’m pleased the Scottish Government is investing a further £7 million to strengthen our collaborative work to develop zero emission mobility solutions for transport. Working across government, industry and academia, I want to see Scotland at the forefront of the revolution in zero-emission mobility. This action supports our world-leading climate targets as we work to eliminate transport emissions – but also helps us secure the benefits for Scottish businesses and industry in being the first to transition to a net-zero economy. We need no reminders of Scotland’s rich history when it comes to invention and new ideas. Through close partnerships, we’re enabling cutting edge innovation that responds to the climate emergency by building exciting clusters of innovation and collaboration. I’m excited to see this important work continue at pace and look forward to the results which will follow."

Sarah Petrie, Innovation Director, MSIP said: “The decision for LOCATE to be based at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc demonstrates the strength of what we offer at the Innovation Parc, to achieve zero emission solutions for the sustainable mobility sector. As well as providing excellent physical infrastructure, MSIP is and will be home to many companies developing technology in this industry. The LOCATE facility will align with those companies and our Innovation Campus, to create practical collaboration between industry and academia, in a physical space. This project demonstrates strong partnership working to deliver a future-thinking facility, with purpose. And that is what MSIP is all about. We welcome this investment and look forward to seeing what LOCATE will achieve.”

Jacqueline Redmond, Power Networks Demonstration Centre Executive Director said: “We are delighted to be working with Transport Scotland in driving forward the Scottish low carbon economy & growth of the local mobility supply chain. By connecting Scottish universities, innovation centres and initiatives, Including the Power Networks Demonstration Centre, Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centre Scotland partners, MSIP and the Hydrogen Accelerator – this will accelerate the realisation of a strategic low carbon transport workforce to support Scotland’s green recovery. This investment will further ensure that the whole-system benefits of zero-emission transport systems are fully understood, validated and realised through targeted and collaborative innovation, thereby accelerating the realisation of net-zero transportation, maximising the opportunities for low/zero emissions transport systems deployment, and encouraging inward investment from OEMs and international markets.”

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, of the University of Strathclyde said: “The electrification of transport will play a major role in Scotland, the UK and the world meeting its targets for carbon emissions reductions. This new investment will help us to apply our internationally-recognised excellence in electrical power systems, power electronics, machines and manufacturing technologies towards solving one of the biggest challenges we face. We are delighted to be awarded this funding from the Scottish Government and to be working in partnership our colleagues at the University of St Andrews.”

John Irvine, The Chair of the Hydrogen Accelerator said: “We are delighted to be leading on the development of the LOCATE facility to support the Scottish Government’s climate change targets. The Hydrogen Accelerator’s focus on zero emission mobility is to stimulate innovation, supply chain developments, inward investment and creating high value employment.  LOCATE complements both the Power Networks Demonstration Centre, based at the University of Strathclyde and the GENESIS facilities located the University of St Andrews Eden Campus.”

About Transport Scotland

Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland. We seek to deliver a safe, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transport system for the benefit of the people of Scotland, playing a key role in helping to achieve the Scottish Government’s Purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish.