The projects at Loughborough, Brunel and Warwick Universities will be funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The projects will cover scientific and engineering issues related to design, manufacture and performance of electric vehicle technology.

Researchers will investigate ways of designing more efficient vehicles through hybrid electric vehicles subsytems.

Recycled and recyclable materials will be examined for their potential in reducing their environmental impact during manufacture.

Methods for optimising performance of electric motors and power electronics will also be studied.

Universities and Science minister, David Willetts, said: “Our world class science and research base is critical to promoting economic growth in emerging technologies, including low carbon vehicles.

“We have protected the science and research budget for the next four years.

“This will boost employment and instill the confidence of other investors. But, above all, it will improve people’s quality of life by pushing at the frontiers of our knowledge.”

Alison Brown

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