The government has announced a £30-million investment led by Toyota to develop small and compact electric vehicles in the UK.
These ‘micro-mobility’ vehicles are compact electric vehicles including scooters and very small cars that are designed specifically for urban environments. They often fit into less than half of a standard vehicle parking space and only seat two people.
The industry project announced by the UK is spearheaded by Toyota and will drive innovation in local micro-mobility vehicle development.
It includes key partners such as the University of Derby and Elm Mobility Limited, and aims to help companies create a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the United Kingdom.
Micro-mobility vehicles delivered under this partnership will have extremely small footprints, be fully electric, and have a solar panel integrated into their roof for energy efficiency.
They will also be built from sustainable and recyclable materials and will feature advanced connectivity features for smart city integration.
An example of the type of vehicle envisioned by this project would be Toyota’s FT-Me concept vehicle, which offers a 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared with other city vehicles.
It also can be operated by drivers as young as 14 years old in some markets, as many governments only require an entry-level licence for operating these types of vehicles.
“This shows the power of our partnership with industry, driving innovation and helping investors build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK as we deliver on our Plan for Change,” said Industry Minister Chris McDonald.
“Economic growth is our number one priority, and by funding our world leading auto sector our modern Industrial Strategy is creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, supporting jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK.”
The funding package was awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) Collaborative Research and Development programme, which aims to help the government build an end-to-end supply chain for zero-emissions vehicles in the UK.
“We are delighted to receive support from the Advanced Propulsion Centre for this important feasibility study,” said TMUK Managing Director Dariusz Mikolajczak.
“This funding allows us to advance our understanding around the feasibility of creating a cutting-edge battery electric vehicle that addresses the growing demand for sustainable urban mobility. The project acknowledges TMUK’s overall project excellence and will further strengthen the capabilities of our members.”
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