Industry predicts Coventry University expert UK industry is facing a major tipping point when it comes to the electrification race according to one of the sector’s leading figures.
Carl Perrin, CEO of the Institute for Clean Growth and Future Mobility at Coventry University,
believes Tata Group’s decision to invest £4bn in a new electric car battery factory in the
South West is a welcome boost, but needs to be the starting block when it comes to
accelerating supply chain capacity.
The former Rolls-Royce Head of Technology is adamant that we need sustained investment
in ensuring domestic firms can commercialise the emerging technologies they are
developing, not to mention supporting SMEs to make the skills transition to electrification
roles.
It is a train of thought that will be at the forefront of discussions this week when Cenex-LCV
and Cenex-CAM gets underway at UTAC Millbrook (6 th -7 th September).
“The UK is doing so well in developing some of the early technologies that will be supporting
the EV race, but we face a real tipping point,” pointed out Carl Perrin, who is a Chartered
Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
“There’s an ambitious Government target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by
2030 and, with this date rapidly approaching, we must accelerate our domestic EV
production base and associated supply chains. If we don’t then we will increasingly be reliant
on imports, and we can’t let this happen.”
He continued: “We need to look at where we are going to need capacity and, importantly, the
skills that are going to support these factories. There’s a lot of work being done in
transitioning existing workers into the new roles and ensuring SMEs are supported to come
on the journey with us.”
Coventry University’s Institute for Clean Growth and Mobility is managing one of the largest
portfolios of projects in clean mobility in the UK, thanks mainly to its ability to understand
policy and then align research and technologies to deliver solutions to societal challenges.
A lot of these programmes will be showcased at Cenex-LCV with the University showcasing
the expertise and activities of its three main Research Centres – E-Mobility and Clean
Growth, Manufacturing and Materials and Future Transport and Cities.
Those names may not mean a lot to people in industry until you realise they house
pioneering initiatives such as the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering (AME),
the National Transport Design Centre (NTDC), the Centre for Advanced Low Carbon
Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Automotive
Research (CCAAR).
“A lot of focus has been on eliminating tailpipe emissions, and you could be forgiven for
thinking that’s enough to meet Net Zero targets,” added Carl.
“There must be a wider, holistic approach. As well as driving our cars around, we need to
consider emissions from manufacturing processes, supply chains and what happens to
vehicles at end-of-life, so we can build a sustainable and full circular economy solution for
future vehicles.
“Skills must be a key focus. How do you train your staff if you don’t know what the 250,000
new Green Economy jobs predicted by the Government will look like? It’s a difficult task and
there’s a massive piece of work to do around mapping out what these roles look like and
what those skills are for businesses getting started on their own Net Zero journey.”
One example where Coventry University has made an impact is the launch of the Electric
Revolution Skills (ERS) Hub, which will also be showcased at Cenex-LCV.
More than 200 delegates were at the launch in March to hear how this new integrated digital
platform will provide access to training, development and jobs for people looking to get into,
or who are currently involved in power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD).
The ERS Hub is an important new weapon in the sector’s arsenal and will help firms
understand what skills are needed through a Body of Knowledge and a cutting-edge skills
diagnostic tool.
Carl concluded: “It’s quite simple. UK industry must collaborate more to move the dial so that
the tipping point for Net Zero goes firmly in the right direction.”
For further information, please visit www.coventry.ac.uk/research/about-us/transport-
solutions/. Coventry University will be on Stand C3-302 at Cenex-LCV.
