Ford has expanded its £24 million electric vehicle test laboratory at its UK headquarters in Essex as it prepares to launch nine new EV vans and cars by 2025.
The latest Propulsion Development Laboratory comprises eight vehicle-size rooms capable of testing electric power units and propulsion systems – maximising development time, including round-the-clock component reliability sign off.
The new laboratory’s test rooms are configured to test EV, hybrid and combustion powertrains, flexing between technologies in anticipation of market changes and customer requirements.
Chair and managing director Lisa Brankin said the new lab “underpins the site’s key role in delivering Ford’s electric vehicle plan in Europe”.
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In the last two years Ford has invested £47 million in the Advanced Propulsion Laboratory (APL) and separate Electrified Powertrain in Manufacturing Engineering (E:PRiME) prototype build facility.
APL specialises in minimising noise and vibration from EV powertrains as well as developing hybrid powertrains for the latest emissions regulations, while E:PRiME develops advanced manufacturing processes, producing prototype EV components ahead of volume production.
Last year the E:PRiME team completed 150 electric power units, involving employees from Ford Halewood Plant on Merseyside where over 400,000 of the power units will be assembly annually from later this year.
Transport minister Anthony Browne, who opened the new Propulsion Development Laboratory, said: “It was fantastic to visit Ford and test drive their new BlueCruise technology as well as open its state-of-the-art modular test lab, which are essential for scaling up the UK’s electric vehicle production.
“It’s great to see a commitment to UK EV development following our zero emissions vehicle mandate becoming law earlier this year, meaning we have a clear pathway for reducing car and van emissions.”
