US-based electric-vehicle (EV) innovator Borg Warner’s (www.borgwarner.com) ambitious growth plans have taken a step forward, as work starts on a new £2 million ‘state of the art’ research and development laboratory in Gateshead.

The fast-expanding firm creates parts for low-carbon vehicles and is benefitting from the global move to increase the use of electric cars.

After acquiring Gateshead-based Sevcon last year, Borg Warner moved into 55,000ft² premises at the rear of Gateshead College’s Skills Academy for Construction in March 2017; two existing properties are being remodelled to facilitate its expansion and safeguard 200 jobs.

The R&D laboratory, which will be used by engineers to develop clean technology prototypes for testing, is the second phase of the development.

The increased use of electric cars has seen Borg Warner increase its head-count over the last three years and build up a £320 million order book.

General manager David Sidlow said: “The new premises will give us the facilities and space needed to achieve the next stage of our growth strategy.

“We are investing heavily in the new testing facilities and hope to be ‘up and running’ by the summer of next year.”