INTRODUCING THE C-ALPS
CENTRE
Operating within Coventry University’s
Future Transport & Cities Research Institute,
the C-ALPS centre has been designed by
architects Broadway Malyan and built by
Willmott Dixon to be the most advanced test
facility of its type currently available in the
UK.
More than £27m of capital investment alone
has been channelled into the industry-
leading building and in creating the
infrastructure that will allow FEV’s internal
combustion and electrification test beds to
satisfy commercial testing requirements for
current and future powertrain systems.
It 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.
Professor Stefan Pischinger, President and
CEO of FEV Group, added his support: “This
is a major investment for our company and
underlines our commitment to growing our
business in the UK.
“We made the decision to collaborate after
the Brexit vote was taken and, despite all
of the uncertainty, we see no reason to
change our approach and believe the UK is
amongst the most advanced in the world
when it comes to developing the next
generation of powertrain solutions.
“Coventry University is a fantastic partner
and the expertise it brings to the table is
significant and one we will undoubtedly
tap into in order to commercialise new
technology. It’s important to understand
that whilst electrification of vehicles is
critical, it is not going to happen overnight
and there is a journey we must go on first.
“There is still a role to play for the
combustion engine and how we integrate
hybrid technologies more effectively
– alongside and not instead of new
developments in electric powertrains.”
Over 100 people from industry and local
business groups were present today to
mark the official launch of C-ALPS.
In addition to keynote speeches from
Coventry University, FEV Group and a
guided tour of the impressive facility,
delegates also heard from Ian Constance
(CEO of The Advanced Propulsion Centre)
and Richard Harrington, Minister for
Business and Industry.
“This centre is a fantastic example of how
leading international businesses are working
in collaboration with the UK’s world-class
universities to drive innovation,” concluded
Business Minster Richard Harrington.
“This new centre will combine our heritage
in automotive with our leadership in clean
growth to develop advanced, cleaner
propulsion systems and other transport
technologies. Our modern Industrial
Strategy presents the Future of Mobility
and Clean Growth as global opportunities
that the UK can lead in, helping create the
industries of the future and highly skilled
jobs.”
For further information, please visit
www.coventry.ac.uk/c-alps or contact
us at [email protected]
Issue 38 PECM
55