Member Article

Electric future for region’s vehicles

A PARTNERSHIP between a North East engineering businesses and Gateshead College could help to drive the future development of electric vehicles.

Sevcon, which is based on Team Valley and designs motor controls for electric and battery powered vehicles, has joined forces with the college’s Skills Academy for Automotive, Manufacturing and Logistics – a close neighbour on Team Valley.

The partnership will create learning and training opportunities for college students and see the two organisations work together on a number of collaborations.

This includes a project to transform a standard road car into a ‘mule’ vehicle driven by an electric motor and drive train, featuring a Sevcon motor controller, to demonstrate how the technology works.

Matt Boyle, Sevcon CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Gateshead College. It’s fantastic that two organisations – literally on one another’s doorstep - can pool their resources and work together.

“With their support we’ve been able to strip down a state-of-the-art road car to create a ‘mule’ that incorporates our latest motor controller and one of the most advanced electric motors in the world.

“We anticipate using this vehicle as a technology demonstrator at a number of shows and events we’ll be attending to showcase the potential of this technology. We look forward to this being the first of many joint projects.”

The partnership will involve further collaborations in future with Sevcon able to utilise the skills and state-of-the-art facilities at the academy.

Students from Gateshead College will also be able to undertake work placements at Sevcon and learn first hand about the latest developments in electric vehicles.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .