New £6m centre for low carbon vehicle development to open in Sunderland - creates 150 jobs
Tue 08 January 2013
View all news
Gateshead College plans to create an International Centre for Low Carbon Vehicle Development in Sunderland costing £6m and creating around 150 jobs.
It is intended that the Centre will spearhead the growth of the industry by focusing research and development and attracting new companies to set up business in the region. The research will forge new relationships between universities and companies and help to create new products as well as develop current vehicles and technology.
Six companies have already expressed an interest in working at the centre which will be managed by Zero Carbon Futures, launched last year by Gateshead College to oversee the development of the low carbon vehicle sector.
The centre will also be home to pioneering partnership work between Gateshead College, sustainability experts tadea, transport consultancy TRL and low carbon vehicle advocates Zero Carbon Futures and home to their new driver training centre.
Dr Colin Herron, managing director of Zero Carbon Futures, said: “Low Carbon Vehicle development and research is an area of real economic growth for the area.
“We have a global reputation for low carbon innovation and this centre will bring together the specialist expertise to help us to maintain that position and drive it forward for the benefit of the North East. The development of this centre is a cornerstone of our strategy to place us at the centre of worldwide product knowledge, development and research.”
Key areas of work will include infrastructure development, research into batteries and energy storage including battery second life and the development of home energy management systems (HEMS) linked to the vehicle.
Gateshead College has bought Barmston Court – once home to Nissan’s Design Centre – to build on the success of its neighbouring Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation (SASMI), which opened last year.
Related Links
< Back to news list