A Coventry automotive design and manufacturing company has joined forces with a leading electric-vehicle manufacturer from Belarus to establish a zero-emissions manufacturing plant for buses and vans in the UK.

CAD CAM Automotive (CCA) met representatives from Minsk-based BKM Holding at the Zero Emission Vehicle Summit in Birmingham in 2018, which was opened by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street (www.bkm.by/en).

CCA (www.cad-cam-automotive.co.uk) and BKM — with a combined heritage of over 150 years — have created a joint-venture company called Wave Industries.

The 300 Series electric bus is due to be launched at the Euro Bus Expo 2020 at the NEC in November, and the production of an initial run of 300 vehicles is due to start in Coventry early next year, accelerating to 800 buses annually by 2025 when 600 jobs will have been created.

The two businesses are also collaborating on a hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric delivery van, which is due to be launched in the UK late next year.

Martyn Wheeler, CEO of Wave Industries, said that the electric buses are ready for market, while the hydrogen bus and van ‘proof of concept’ has been completed.

“Our aim is to be a world leader in the development and manufacture of fully integrated Zero Emissions vehicles and transport systems.

"We are bringing together the heritage, expertise, skills base and R&D excellence of our business with the proven electric-vehicle technology experience of Belarus.

“As well as creating 600 new jobs, there will a tremendous amount of Intellectual Property rights and R&D work included in the joint venture.

"We will export the electric vehicles to Commonwealth countries and talks are already underway to supply the electric buses to Egypt and Nigeria.

"We are actively seeking a UK retailer or logistics partner to collaborate with us in the development of the commercial van.

"We won’t just be bringing buses and vans to the UK, but the complete design and installation of transport infrastructure systems.”