The UK-backed Technology Strategy Board will invest £4.5million as part of a new £9million research and development project that will allow a consortium to develop four prototypes of a new all-electric city car.
Known as the T.27 project the electric city car will be sustainably manufactured, and is led by a consortium that includes Gordon Murray Design and Zytek Automotive Limited with technical support from Michelin Plc and Continental Corporation, as well as sub-contractors Vocis Driveline Controls, VCA UK, ENAX and MIRA Limited.
The aim of the project is to produce four running prototypes of a three-seat all-electric vehicle that can achieve a four-star Euro NCAP rating as well as excellent pedestrian safety. It will apply iStream methodology, a manufacturing process developed by Gordon Murray Design, as well as being linked to a lightweight, highly efficient drivetrain from Zytek.
The result is a car that is slightly smaller than a Smart but offers more interior space. It is predicted that the T.27 will have lifecycle emissions of 63 per cent less than the average car and 27 per cent less than similar electric vehicles thanks to the iStream manufacturing process, which is all about sustainable, low energy process in design.
It is hoped that the 16month project will develop prototypes that put the consortium in the position to further explore scaling up and building a manufacturing facility with the ultimate aim of making the vehicle available on the open market.
