Driving the Next Generation of Clean Mobility Towards Zero Carbon

The Centre for Future Clean Mobility at the University of Exeter stands at the forefront of the road to zero carbon.

The Centre for Future Clean Mobility (CFCM) partners with businesses to develop low-emissions, high-efficiency integrated power systems for marine, off-highway, rail, defence, and energy sectors.

With only 50% of transport emissions being derived from road cars, the CFCM focuses on the other half of polluting vehicles, such as boats and construction vehicles. These forms of transport require longer endurance and need to survive much harsher conditions than cars, making them much more challenging to convert to clean energy.

“We go right the way from the concept, through the trials, and then we see it on test and working. That is a new dawn. At that point, you can scratch off all the vehicles we’ve replaced. All that noise, all that dirt, all that pollution, we’ve stopped it.”

Professor Chris Smith, CFCM Director.

Professor Chris Smith, Director for the Centre for Future Clean Mobility, said: “The solutions to make these vehicles zero emissions are complex and, usually, costly. Industry doesn’t know how to power these vehicles without diesel; that’s why we’re looking into it at the University.

“The answer’s partly battery, but also probably hydrogen, possibly methanol, maybe other clean fuels, it all depends. The point is, they’re all zero emissions.”

The CFCM was only officially formed last year; however, they have been working with businesses for over six years now. With regulatory and societal pressure on eliminating pollutants and the UK’s commitment to net-zero 2050, the CFCM are making companies accountable for their emissions and providing them with the means to make the change.

The Centre does this by designing and testing powertrains for optimal fuel efficiency, range, and cost, as well as developing battery pack design and testing, control system design and implementation, and providing life cost analysis.

Chris Smith said: “We do the academic stuff – data, computers, mathematics – but we also go on a longer journey with our partner companies than most academics do. That is why our industry partners want to do more and more with us.”

“We go right the way from the concept, through the trials, and then we see it on test and working. That is a new dawn. At that point, you can scratch off all the vehicles we’ve replaced. All that noise, all that dirt, all that pollution, we’ve stopped it.”

Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Supacat, a world-leading defence vehicle manufacturer, they worked to develop a unique high mobility electric vehicle, the six-wheel-drive Hybrid All-Terrain Mobility Platform, which was unveiled in late 2019. The vehicle can be air-dropped, pull heavy loads up steep slopes and through rough terrain, and is also amphibious.

Professor Steve Austen, Engineering Director and Chief Engineer of SC Group, explained the value of collaborative working with academic partners: “The knowledge that has been gained and distributed throughout the project partners is invaluable. It resulted in significant additional revenue back to Supacat even before the project ended and high confidence of sustained additional revenue for the company over the next few years.”

More recently, the CFCM team has been working on a KTP with Quattro to design a new clean powertrain for road-rail vehicles. They have also set sail with a successful bid to develop the e-Voyager, the UK’s first fully electric Domestic Passenger Vessel, in partnership with Plymouth Boat Trips.

With the support from the Innovation, Impact, and Business (IIB) team, partnered companies, such as Supacat, Quattro, and Plymouth Boat Trips, were awarded government and independent funding to help cover the costs of the convert from diesel to clean fuel.

James McNaughton, IIB lead, said: “The government is spending so much money on reducing co2 emissions, most companies are getting funding. We’ve also done well in being awarded capital from the research and innovation public body, Innovate UK.”

On top of this, IIB spread the word about the pivotal work the CFCM is working on, generating new partnerships, and getting companies to invest in R&D.

As it stands, more than 30 companies have invested in CFCM for accelerated innovation of clean power technology, and the Heart of the South West LEP invested £2M in expanding test facilities.

Chris Smith said: “IIB has been a consistent and central support in the development of the Centre for Future Clean Mobility. Without them, it wouldn’t have happened.”

Currently, the Centre is working to develop their 432 square metres of space at Exeter Science Park into offices, and a unique assemble and test area for clean powertrains – the first testing area of this nature available in the UK.

Looking to the future, the CFCM hopes this space will help them continue their industry partnerships for innovation, focusing on delivery, cost, and responsiveness. Their goal is to lead internationally on for clean and smart mobility and play a leading role in supporting the region’s objective to become a leader in Clean Growth Innovation.

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