Motor firms’ bid to charge into electric vehicle boom
Car industry bosses in the North East aim to make sure they are in the driving seat as electric car sales increase.
The North East Automotive Alliance’s new Electrified Powertrain Technology Group is seen as an important step in supporting the region’s ambitions to make the most of the trend.
The UK was the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050 and the Government is set to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
A number of UK cities have already put plans in place to ban or reduce conventional car use and 3.4% of all vehicles sold in last year were electric – with this set to expand to 5.5% this year.
Paul Butler, chief executive of the NEAA said: “The North East is in prime position to capitalise on the electric vehicle revolution. It is already home to Europe’s most successful electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, and Europe’s first ever giga factory, the Envision AESC UK and produces over one million electric motors a year.”
He added: “The new Electrified Powertrain Technology Group is an important step in supporting the North East’s transition to become a true automotive powerhouse and a location of choice for automotive investment in Europe.”
The recent appointment of Matt Boyle as chairman of the NEAA adds significant expertise.
Matt is an internationally respected figure and expert in vehicle electrification.
He said: “It is extremely important that the NEAA steps up, shows leadership and drives the discussion.
“Electrification in the UK is world leading. There are large sectors looking at it as a way of battling the economic challenges that the country faces.”
NEAA members were at the forefront of the Stephenson Challenge that led to the £80m Driving the Electric Revolution (DER) programme and the region continues to play a leading role in this programme.
The Electrified Powertrain Technology Group will be chaired by Ryan Maughan, founder of AVID Technology, which specialises in the design and manufacture of electrified powertrain components.