£50 million Centre for Advanced Low Carbon Propulsion Systems opens in Coventry

The Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS), a £50 million state-of-the-art facility for creating clean mobility solutions, opened in Coventry on the 22nd March 2019.

C-ALPS, an innovative collaboration between global engineering specialist, FEV Group, and Coventry University, is looking to harness cutting-edge academic and commercial expertise to support the development of the next generation of electric, hybrid and combustion engines.

During the launch event both Professor Stefan Pschinger, CEO & President – FEV, and Joern Behrenroth, Managing Director – FEV, explained that FEV’s involvement in an APC supported project with Jaguar Land Rover and Coventry University opened their eyes to the opportunities for collaboration in the UK, leading to the facility.

More than 30,000 sq ft of development space at the Technology Park of Coventry, near to the National Transport Design Centre, will house some of the most advanced internal combustion and electrification test bed facilities currently available in the UK, creating a dedicated resource for testing current and future powertrain solutions quickly and efficiently. The capabilities will be available to OEMs, SMEs in the supply chain, and technology partners keen to accelerate the creation of new propulsion systems for use across the automotive, aerospace, marine and rail sectors.

Professor Stefan Pischinger, President & CEO of FEV Group, said:

We are convinced that Coventry University is the ideal partner for the development of powertrain solutions in the UK due to its research focus and the conditions prevailing here. In addition, it is important for us to be on-site with our customers. With C-ALPS, we can ensure this, and develop modern and clean powertrain solutions for our customers in the UK with the most advanced capabilities.

“This collaboration is very encouraging news and a welcome boost for the UK automotive industry,” explained Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University. “We have a real opportunity for the country to lead the rest of the world when it comes to developing low carbon propulsion systems and C-ALPS has a major role to play in making this happen. It’s all about bringing the best of both worlds together, using the expertise and track record of FEV Group in engineering consultancy and combining it with the academic knowledge of our professors to create a real centre of excellence. Automotive is naturally the first target, but the technology will also be available to support the evolution of other sectors.”

Operating within Coventry University’s Future Transport & Cities Research Institute, C-ALPS has been designed and built to be the most advanced test facility of its type in the UK. FEV’s development test benches meet all the conditions with which current and future engines are confronted. It also houses test benches for powertrain components, including turbochargers, catalytic converters, battery systems and electric machines.

Three world-class professors have also been recruited to lead the research team and they bring with them significant experience and knowledge in battery storage, power electronics and electric machines.

More than 100 people from the industry, science and politics attended the official opening of C-ALPS. Ian Constance, APC – CEO, was joined by representatives of FEV and Coventry University, Richard Harrington, Minister for Business and Industry, to address the audience and praise C-ALPS’s commitment to research and development.