Bentley Motors secures Government funding in electric vehicle batteries
Bentley Motors is to receive a share of £5.6 million in funding through the Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification 2035 (DRIVE35) programme, it was announced today.
The investment, welcomed by Crewe & Nantwich MP Connor Naismith, will support more than 1,800 manufacturing jobs across the UK.
Almost £65 million of government funding, matched by industry, will go towards zero-emission projects – from self-driving cars to more affordable EVs.
Image: Bentley Motors
Britain’s automotive sector is set to benefit from nearly £130 million of investment to ramp up new zero emission vehicle technologies and support skilled jobs.
Delivered through the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the funding will support more than 1,800 jobs and thousands more in the supply chain.
DRIVE35 is a £4 billion UK Government programme that supports the transition to zero-emission vehicle technologies.
It provides funding to businesses from early-stage innovation through to commercialisation and manufacturing scale-up.
The R&D project brings together IONETIC’s battery technology and Bentley’s engineering expertise to develop flexible battery systems for future electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The project will support Bentley’s transition to electrification.
Simon Blake
Simon Blake, Chief Strategy Officer at Bentley Motors, said: “The transition to electrification presents an opportunity to rethink many aspects of vehicle design, and battery technology will be central to that journey.
“Through CONVEX, we’re working alongside IONETIC to explore a flexible and scalable approach to battery architectures that could help shape the next generation of electrified vehicles.
“Beyond the technical innovation, this project showcases the strength of UK engineering and how collaboration can accelerate progress towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced automotive future.”
Connor Naismith MP visits Bentley’s Crewe plant
Connor Naismith MP said: “It’s fantastic news that a project led by Bentley Motors has been name as a recipient of the DRIVE35 electrification programme.
“The programme signals significant investment to develop flexible battery systems for future electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It shows that Labour is serious about reindustrialisation.
“This investment bolsters battery manufacturing in the UK, supporting both environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
“It is part of a £130 million investment in zero emission technologies, supporting over 1,800 high-value manufacturing employment opportunities – creating local jobs in clean transport.”