World-leading R&D site set for Bath
A new £70m research and development centre intended to consolidate the UK’s world leading position in clean vehicle powertrain technology will be developed in Bath.
Led by the University of Bath, the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) is expected to become one of the leading independent facilities of its type in the world.
Expertise will be drawn from the university’s team of more than 40 academics who are active in relevant areas of research, alongside collaborations with vehicle manufacturers, Tier 1 technology suppliers and specialist innovation businesses.
Professor Gary Hawley, dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Design at the University of Bath, said: “While the breadth and depth of resources and expertise will immediately place IAAPS within the world’s top independent powertrain research facilities, the most exciting aspect is that we are starting with a clean sheet of paper. We began by plotting the technology road map required for the development of zero emissions road transport and planned IAAPS to help accelerate that journey.”
That means recognising not just that the technologies are changing faster than ever before, but that the industry needs new areas of expertise, new development tools, more skills and new ways of facilitating collaboration and innovation.
Howley said: “IAAPS will focus as much on the ‘how’ as on the ‘what’. That includes the development of new development processes and simulation techniques, education in new areas of technology and encouraging collaboration between innovators and those who can help realise their ideas.”
Funding for the new institute comes from the University of Bath (£30m), the UK government’s Research England (£29m) and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (£10m).
IAAPS is expected to open in mid 2021.
