A joint government and industry investment of £73 million is set to support the development of clean transport technology projects across the UK.

The government said five successful projects awarded funding are set to support 3,300 jobs across the UK, working on new ways to use renewable fuels, electric motors that are both "powerful and highly efficient", and new materials that will reduce the auto industry’s carbon footprint.

The funding has been awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Collaborative Research and Development programme. Around half of the funding is coming from the government, with the other half coming from the automobile industry.

Winners of the funding include CNH Industrial, which has received over £15 million to develop what is said to be a "world first" methane-powered tractor.

Toyota’s base in Derbyshire has received over £11 million to develop a hydrogen-fuel cell version of the Hilux pickup truck which it says is ideal for use in isolated settings where electric vehicle charging is impractical.

Slough-based Constellium has received £10 million to work on providing new sources of recycled aluminium that could "massively reduce the auto industry’s carbon footprint".

Commenting on the funding, business secretary Grant Shapps said: “Seizing the potential from new technologies will be a key part of its future success, while also making our roads cleaner, greener and more affordable.”

The news comes after prime minister Rishi Sunak announced £66 million of funding for clean energy initiatives at COP27.

The government said the funding would support its aims to partner with the private sector to facilitate green innovation and energy transition, at home and around the world.

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