Work has begun on a low-carbon ‘clean transport lab’ at Coventry University’s Technology Park — a £30 million collaboration between the university and Germany-based international engineering service provider FEV.

The low-carbon technology centre is being built next to the university’s recently launched National Transport Design Centre, as part of a cluster of transport-focused research and development facilities on the Technology Park.

Representatives from FEV visited the site earlier this month for the ground-breaking ceremony. Activity in the centre will focus on testing — and improving — the performance and emissions of different powertrain concepts, including hybridised, electric, conventional and alternative-fuel propulsion systems.

Vice-chancellor professor John Latham said: “This new centre represents another boost to the university’s — and the city’s — rich portfolio of transport R&D activities.

"As one of the region’s universities, we’re delighted to be playing a role in attracting investment from key inter-national players in this field, and to be helping position Coventry at the forefront of advances in low-carbon technology.”

FEV already works closely with a number of UK customers in the automotive and aerospace industries, and they are expected to use the new facility to develop cleaner transport technologies. A significant area of work is set to be advanced propulsion systems.