The government has given £ 14.6 million to create 640 jobs in Darlington by building a carbon-free hydrogen engine.
Cummins, a Darlington -based machine manufacturer, is leading the government-backed Brunel project.
The goal of the project is to produce a hydrogen engine that will replace the numerous diesel engines currently in use in road haulage.
In his role as executive director of Cummins On-highway Business in Europe, Jonathan Atkinson said the project would create hundreds of jobs as well as enhancing the skills of workers.
“This project will accelerate the development of a hydrogen engine, ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of this exciting new technology which plays a crucial role in decarbonizing the global economy,” he added.
The minister for investment, Lord Grimstone, said: “The Brunel Project is a continuation of Darlington’s tradition of skilled engineering that will make it a vibrant town for years to come. Our goal is to make repairs better and more environmentally friendly. A new generation will be able to have a better future thanks to government investment after the pandemic. ”
By 2050, the UK aims to achieve net zero energy usage by adopting green technology and getting rid of petrol and diesel.”
Funding from Advanced Propulsion Center’s R&D Assistance competition supports companies that are developing green auto technologies.
The project has the potential to change how things are transported and provide more understanding of how hydrogen can be used as such a future fuel.
Darlington MP Peter Gibson said: “I am delighted to learn of Cummins’ plans for further investment in Darlington, especially if the investment is to go to decarbonisation.
“Tees Valley is at the forefront of the green revolution in the industry in many aspects and if it leads to more job opportunities in Darlington that should be something we celebrate.”
Jonathan Dulston, deputy chief of Darlington Borough Council, said: “Cummins has been a long -standing name in Darlington and we are delighted that they got this contract and are once again part of it. The work that Tees Valley is doing to make it happen. contributing to the climate is crucial to solutions to change. ”
Ian Constance, chief executive of APC, said: “These projects address some of the key challenges of the journey to net-zero road transportation.
“They address the concerns and costs that can be barriers to people moving to electric vehicles and they also provide potential solutions to the challenge of how we decarbon public transportation and the movement of products. .
“By investing in this innovation, we are taking these technologies further to the point that they can be commercialized, strengthening the UK’s automotive chain, protecting or creating jobs and reducing damage. greenhouse emissions. ”
Mr. Atkinson added: “The APC18 project will continue and advance hundreds of key technical jobs, not only at Cummins and our consortium partners but across the entire preparation base.
“In the medium of the long term it offers key potential to expand our business with high export value, providing a supply of UK-made hydrogen engines and sub-systems to UK-made customers. all over the world. ”
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