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Near Hinckley, the MIRA vehicle testing facility will open a new $5 million Low Carbon Innovation Hub to promote the development of greener automobiles.
The Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has approved the proposals for the new electric and hydrogen vehicle project, and an existing building on the site will now be converted for the creation of environmentally-friendly vehicles.
The council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) will each spend £2.5 million in the project. The funds from the taxpayers will be used to enhance research and development in the areas of battery technology, hydrogen fuel cells, and other low carbon and fossil fuel alternatives.
The objective is to “future-proof” the testing site so that it can continue to test vehicles as their engines evolve. Andy Reed OBE, interim chair of the LLEP, stated: “The Low Carbon Innovation Hub supports the LLEP’s goal for coming years of supporting economic growth through sustainability and innovation. The site offers world-class facilities to the mobility sector.
“Projects such as this will help it continue bringing in employers and creating quality jobs while also supporting wider low carbon testing and development.”
Bill Cullen, chief executive of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said: “I welcome this further investment in low carbon technologies at MIRA Technology Park, which is a world class facility on our doorstep in Hinckley and Bosworth. This will strongly align to the delivery of the council’s ambitions around climate change and carbon reduction and boosting local jobs in this sector.
“This scheme will be another great example of the impact achieved via the strong collaboration between the council, LLEP and MIRA Technology Park.”
The technological park’s businesses are at the forefront of developing innovative automotive technologies. In addition to testing low-carbon technologies, the location has tested driverless autonomous vehicles.
Tim Nathan, managing director at MIRA, said: “We’re continually investing in maintaining our position as a leading hub for the development of low carbon technologies and research and development. With the industry undergoing a revolution in mobility technologies, these investments futureproof our capability ensuring we can best support businesses across the technology, engineering, and advanced manufacturing sectors.”
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