New £4.5m Future Technology Centre opens in Sunderland
Tue 10 June 2014
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A new 'Future Technology Centre' has opened in Sunderland, aiming to put the North East at the forefront of low carbon vehicle technology. It's the first of its kind in Europe and and aims to provide companies working in the automotive and low carbon vehicle sector with the opportunity to develop and commercialise innovative technologies.
The purpose-built centre for automotive development is located in the heart of the automotive industry in Washington, Sunderland and is part of the A19 Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Corridor Enterprise Zone. Located next to Nissan's factory, the Centre was supported by £4.5m funding from the Regional Growth Fund and Gateshead College and is owned and managed by a Partnership between the College and LowCVP members, Zero Carbon Futures.
Make it Sunderland reports that confirmed tenants of the Future Technology Centre include Smith Electric Vehicles - manufacturer and developer of zero-emission commercial electric vehicles. Smith Electric Vehicles has a long-standing relationship with Gateshead College and the two organisations have together developed an apprenticeship programme on Electric Vehicles demonstrating Gateshead College's commitment to low carbon skills training.
College principal and Chief Executive Judith Doyle said.“The Future Technology Centre is crucial to the successful development and implementation of low carbon vehicle technologies, and is central to the North East becoming the UK’s technology hub in this emerging sector.”
Zero Carbon Futures says that the new Future Technology Centre is already at 80% capacity as five innovative companies have signed up to move in before the Centre officially opens for business
The Centre intends to house technology research and development under one roof.
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