With a combined value of £45m, the projects are the winners of two competitions run by the Technology Strategy Board’s Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform, which is aimed at stimulating innovation and capability throughout the UK automotive supply chain.

The result of a collaborative partnership between the board, the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles and the Physical Sciences Research Council, the 27 winners include the Jaguar Land Rover led Evoque_e project, and were announced at the Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle event at Millbrook this week.

Phil Smith, chairman of the Technology Strategy Board said: ‘To stay at the forefront of the global automotive industry, UK businesses have to  deliver the new ideas and processes that make this country the best place to do  business. The projects receiving funding today have been carefully selected to make a real difference to our ability to deliver sustainable transport systems for the future.’

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: ‘These innovative projects will help to strengthen the UK’s position at the vanguard of low carbon technology. Winning projects include electric vehicles themselves as well as advances in battery technology. This progress across the board has great potential for job creation and long term benefits for the environment and the economy.’