Tag Archives: Electrification

Careers, Diversity & Inclusion, News, STEM

ERS Hub issues grassroots rallying call as it looks to young people to fill the 100,000+ electrification jobs void

Engaging and boosting inclusivity at grassroots level with young people is going to be essential if the UK is going to fill the hundreds of thousands of expected job opportunities in electrification.

That’s the rallying call from Coventry University’s Deepak Farmah, who is currently helping to connect the emerging community through the Electric Revolution Skills Hub (ERS Hub), an integrated digital platform for providing inclusive access to training, development, and jobs in an electrified and greener future.

The Commercial Director for ERS Hub believes his team has made significant headway in creating an intuitive platform that has brought together education, training providers, employers and the future workforce all in one place, and with clear routes to courses and jobs.

 

However, he also feels that the big challenge now is to reach out to young people at primary and secondary schools, colleges and hard-to-reach youth groups to get them excited about the world of electrification as a diverse and inclusive sector.

“It is still a fledgling industry. The career paths and the type of jobs available are difficult enough to understand for adults, let alone young people trying to work out what the future holds,” explained Deepak.

“In a Gigafactory alone there are more than17 different roles you can aspire to, whilst in PEMD there are up to 80 knowledge profiles, ranging from motor engineer and design lead through to testing and validation. Our role is about showcasing these and demystifying how you get there.”

He continued: We’ve already started this work, with the aim of engaging with tens of thousands of pupils and hundreds of schools and groups already, but this is just the beginning.

“Our experts have been attending career fairs, industry events, launching podcasts and providing curiosity boxes to educational establishments. These are a great way to start the conversation and encourage young people to build a motor from scratch following a simple lesson plan that can be delivered by any teacher – not just a STEM one.”

The ERS Hub, which is co-funded by Coventry University and UKRI, is keen to support more STEM related activities at grassroots levels and recently threw its weight behind ProtoEV, the ultimate motorsport competition for schools, colleges, youth clubs and apprentices in the UK.

Organised by the Blair Project, five youth teams from South London spent twelve weeks of tireless work and testing to retrofit a fully electric e-kart, before putting it through its paces to try to claim the fastest lap at TRAQ Motor Racing in Croydon.

Leaways School took the first prize for its combined efforts on design, innovation, teamwork and speed, with Liam Palmer also securing the best teacher award. Oasis Play’s two teams finished second and third, as well as claiming the fastest lap accolade.

Experts from the ERS Hub joined Formula 1, Teamsport Karting and Innovate UK in a career session to raise awareness of possible jobs and careers in electrification.

“By providing hands-on experience in clean tech, we not only equip young people with essential skills but also ignite their passion for sustainable solutions and diversity in engineering. Witnessing their creativity and determination reassures me that the future of motorsports and clean technology is in capable and diverse hands,” added Deepak.

Richard Lane, Product Development Director at the ERS Hub, said: “Events like the ProtoEV Challenge are crucial in inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators.

“Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a major focus. We want to start conversations with youngsters from different backgrounds, who may not have access to mainstream career advice or opportunities.

“That is the only way we are going to create the pipeline of talent the UK is going to need to grasp the opportunity of electrification. Reducing barriers to entry is key and – the next generation can’t do it, if they can’t see their own path to get there.”

ERS Hub is in the early stages of its grassroots journey and the longer-term plan involves ‘educating the educators on the opportunities’ and pressing the button on a more youth-friendly platform that will appeal to young people.

For further information, please visit www.ershub.co.uk or follow it across its social media platforms.

 

Awards, Midlands News, News

Innovation drive helps Brandauer claim Medium Business of the Year at the Masters

One of the UK’s best kept manufacturing secrets has been named as the Medium Business of the Year at the Business Desk Masters Awards last night.

Brandauer, which produces millions of high tolerance metal pressings and stampings every week for customers in 25 different countries, beat off competition from across the region to claim the prestigious prize in front of 250 people in Birmingham.

The company was praised by judges for the way it diversified during the pandemic, creating its largest ever innovation project that has seen it become the lamination expert of choice for companies involved in electrification.

It’s an approach that has already delivered £1m of sales and seen it work closely with Jaguar Land Rover, Ricardo and Saietta on Government-funded projects.

Stuart Berry, Manufacturing Director at Brandauer, picked up the award: “The pandemic was tough for everyone, but it did give us time to consider the future and where we wanted to take the business.

“We had growing expertise in creating wafer thin laminations and wanted to innovate the bonding process so we could offer ‘stacks’ used in motors and stators in electric drivetrains. This has been achieved and we are now able to commercialise this in the UK and overseas.”

He continued: “The Business Desk Masters Award, which was sponsored by Azets, is a major honour for our company and underlines that SMEs can innovate their way out of difficult circumstances. A big thank you to all 69 staff, this prize is for you and your hard work, commitment and passion for UK manufacturing.”

Brandauer has increased its workforce by 20% and successfully secured more than £1m of lamination work as a direct result of the transformation project.

This includes rotor/stators for a tier 1 Slovenian automotive supplier of HVAC systems and a global tier one, the latter using them in a new $3m Supercar.

The final contract success is a £250,000 deal, which uses its in-house bonded stack capability to drive the motors in the next generation of military reconnaissance drones.

News

Grayson eyes £25m electric vehicle opportunity with roll out of new Vehicle Thermal Management System

A Vehicle Thermal Management System (VTMS) that saves weight and optimises driving range for electric buses, commercial vehicles and off highway applications is marking its first year in production in style.

Grayson Thermal Systems’ revolutionary VTMS combines battery thermal management and heat pump and air conditioning technology into one single system that helps the end-user save costs and space.

The technology, which also incorporate waste heat recycling and electric motor cooling to deliver the complete solution, is expected to tap into the demand for cleaner transport and bosses believe sales for electric double-deck buses could generate £15m of sales by the end of 2023 and more than £25m by 2025.

In order to take advantage of commercial volumes also starting to grow from 2024 onwards, Grayson is investing heavily in its UK manufacturing and build capability, and this will lead to the creation of tens of jobs locally.

“The beauty of our VTMS is that it brings all of our proven battery thermal management and heat pump technology for zero emission vehicles together in one neatly packaged system,” explained Matthew Hateley, European Sales Manager at Grayson Thermal Systems.

“Our unique software platform and clever control logic allows component sharing for different uses meaning a smaller and lighter solution, whilst our technical team have also come up with a unique way to recycle waste energy back into the system – helping the battery conserve power whilst, at the same time, delivering optimum heating and air conditioning performance.”

He went on to add: “The commercial vehicle platform has been designed in a modular way so that the OEM can build-in the technical features they want based on system performance requirements, cost and weight targets.”

Wrightbus, a world-leader in hydrogen and electric technology for the transport sector, became the first company to integrate the Grayson Vehicle Thermal Management System into parts of its fleet last year, a decision that has helped the StreetDeck Electroliner to officially become the most efficient double-deck battery-electric bus in the world.

Official assessments undertaken at UTAC – using the ZEMO-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) test – showed that the bus achieved a result of 0.68 kWh/km.

This is around half the energy consumed by its closest BEV double-deck UK rival and a major contributing factor to this impressive result was the low energy consumption of the Grayson VTMS to achieve the HVAC requirements and maintain battery temperatures during the test.

Matthew continued to say: “We set a high expectation for what we wanted to achieve in terms of weight and energy efficiency savings, so to accomplish the test results we have gives us a high level of confidence that our technology will change the requirements of electric vehicle HVAC forever.

“More than two years after setting out our strategic goals, it’s fantastic to see our Vehicle Thermal Management System on the roads in and around the UK.”

Ian Gillott, Managing Director at Wrightbus, said: “We are pleased to have integrated the Grayson Vehicle Thermal Management System into part of our fleet. This has resulted in our StreetDeck Electroliner becoming the most efficient double-deck battery-electric bus in the world – something we are immensely proud of.

“Thermal management is critical to vehicle efficiency and the partnership between Grayson and Wrightbus has allowed us to fully optimise this. Being a leader in the zero-emissions transport industry, it is pleasing for us that Grayson is doing all it can to further enhance our vehicles’ performance and green credentials.”

Matthew went on to add: “We are now into the next stage of the development to further improve our product to optimise the performance and green credentials of electric vehicles whilst meeting new legislation coming into effect in 2024.

“The VTMS is the latest system we have introduced to our product range, and we’re delighted to have played a small, but important role in the StreetDeck Electroliner being named as the world’s most efficient double-deck battery-electric bus.

“Both firms share a passion for innovation and that will only continue as we aim to deliver greener transport solutions for the sector.”

Grayson Thermal Systems has worked hard to ensure the VTMS is extremely versatile as it embarks on the next set of customer programmes to productionise its platform for the commercial vehicle sector, including HGVs (up to 28 tonnes), refuse collection and off-highway vehicles destined for mining and construction.

Midlands News, News

West Midlands Mayor backs Grayson Thermal Systems to become global electrification leader

Hundreds of jobs could be created in the West Midlands with zero-emission technology advancements creating global export opportunities for Grayson Thermal Systems.

That was the clear message presented to Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, during a recent visit to the firm’s Tyseley base, with bosses at the 44-year-old firm convinced that the switch to greener transport solutions presents a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity for their company and the region as a whole.

Managing Director Stuart Hateley believes the area’s traditional strengths in innovation and R&D are already paving the way for new contracts across the world and wants the Government to get behind this drive by making sure that all publicly funded projects feature initiatives that ensure UK-produced goods are given a boost.

His own company is doing its bit, recently investing £2m in R&D, employee upskilling and state-of-the-art testing technology to help it bring a range of zero-emission vehicle products to market that are now being sold into the battery, electric and hydrogen fuel cell, on-highway, off-highway and rail markets.

These solutions are headlined by its Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS), which keeps zero emission vehicles batteries at a stable temperature improving efficiency and extending life.

There has also been significant interest in its complete Vehicle Thermal Management System (VTMS), MagDrive Pump and Electric Water Heater, the latter providing an instant source of clean heat generation that can be transferred for passenger or driver comfort.

“West Midlands manufacturers have really embraced the electrification drive and are exploring ways where they can take conventional technology and transform it into products that will help OEMs achieve zero emission targets,” commented Stuart, who runs Grayson Thermal Systems with his brothers Ian and James.

“From the beginning of 2021 we have enjoyed significant success in the UK, mainland Europe, North America and even further afield with our new suite of products and this is just the start…the potential is huge, with £millions of contracts up for grabs that could create hundreds of jobs here and throughout the supply chain.”

He continued: “It was great to welcome Andy Street to look at our technology developments, which have led to our recent successes and discuss ways in which we could work together to ensure that Government-funded projects deliver even more benefit to the local area.

“A lot of the time it is about making the powers that be aware of what we do in the region and the amazing technical expertise and proven technology we have on our doorstep.

“The conversations were very positive and there was a genuine desire from all parties to explore ways where we could accelerate the development of the region’s ‘electric’ supply chain, boosting domestic and international trade in the process.”

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, added his support: “We have a unique opportunity to lead the UK in electrification and the Green Industrial Revolution, and we’ve already enjoyed several funding successes that will help build a more sustainable future – not least when it comes to transport infrastructure.

“But we must continue to explore ways in which we can ensure the full benefit of our greener future can be felt by local businesses, who have the technology, skills and expertise required to bring our plans to life.

“The visit to Grayson Thermal Systems gave me a first-hand insight into the technology we have here in the West Midlands and the opportunities this can bring both locally and on a global scale, as well as the challenges faced by our regional manufacturers. I look forward to continuing to work with firms like Grayson Thermal Systems as we drive the West Midlands forward into a new era.”

Birmingham-based Grayson Thermal Systems has bounced back from the pandemic and is enjoying a surge of new projects, contract wins and orders for its zero-emission range of thermal management products.

Group turnover will grow by another 15% in 2022 and more than 40 new jobs have already been created, with further positions now available across engineering, operations and administration.

News

V12 Vehicle Finance urging used car dealers to take stock of EV revolution

Used car dealers are being told to plan for the electric vehicle revolution and become forward-thinking businesses right now, working towards a 10% EV stock ahead of an inevitable rise in demand.

V12 Vehicle Finance, who assist in the sourcing, buying, selling and financing of used vehicles, is urging dealers to start planning ahead, after the highest number of new electric vehicle registrations were recorded in February 2022 (21,977 compared to 23,952 petrol and 3,922 diesel models for the same period)[1]

While diesel and petrol marques aren’t expected to disappear for some time, the growing trend for new EVs will result in stock funnelling through to used car dealers in the ‘near future.’

Tim Maffey, Finance Director said that ever-increasing fuel costs – which are predicted to hit £2 per litre despite a recent 5p-a-litre tax cut – were accelerating the change to EVs.

He said: “If there is one piece of advice we’d give to used car dealers, then it would be to picture a world where EVs will be commonplace and to start future-proofing now. At the moment, dealers aren’t selling many used EVs because there aren’t many on the market. But this won’t be the case for long and it’s important for them to be prepared with a robust digital sales function so that when more stock is available, they can sell them to a forward-thinking customer base.”

V12 Vehicle Finance has spent months researching the subject of EVs and is now in a position to issue its rallying call to used-dealers, with a significant amount of evidence pointing to imminent change, including:

· 59% of UK automotive executives say that by 2030 most vehicle sales will take place online; 56% say that EVs will make up between 70-100% of all new sales in western Europe[2]

· Fuel savings for switching to electric have hit a record high of £779 a year on average for petrol drivers – £738 for diesel drivers[3]

· A survey of 2,000 motorists by Bridgestone[4] has confirmed that UK consumers are beginning to accelerate towards electric vehicle travel, with 67% preparing to ditch their petrol and diesel cars for good

· Modern new EVs are predicted to hold their value more than petrol or diesel alternatives[5]

An increasing amount of industry evidence is pointing towards a significant shift in driver habits, while it’s common knowledge that sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2030. Further restrictions will be introduced from 2035, where all new cars being sold will be required to be completely zero emission.

Tim Maffey, Finance Director added: “Until recently, the second-hand market for electric cars was small, but this is beginning to change.

“The majority of electric cars to date have been bought by company car fleets and it was in about 2020 that we saw huge growth in the number of electric cars they were buying. On the basis that company car fleets typically hold cars for three years and vans for 4/5years, we expect those cars/vans to feed through to the second-hand market in the near future.”

“While focusing exclusively on EVs right now wouldn’t be a sensible strategy in isolation, changes are going to occur soon whether dealers like it or not. Being prepared is key. We would suggest that forward thinking dealers look to start with 5-10% of their stock being EV now. Just having one unit doesn’t give their customers much confidence – and confidence is key.”

V12 Vehicle Finance is offering finance solutions to its used car dealer customers as it extends its own EV solutions to become the stand-out lending partner in the UK. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) can now be financed on both its stock funding and hire purchase products.

VF12 VF said that the global economic challenges and uncertain times we live in shouldn’t cause its customers to fear the future and reassured them that they’re there to help them, every step of the way.

“Making changes to vehicle stock doesn’t have to cost the earth or be a daunting process. It can be done by replenishing sold stock with different options going forward.

“As technology progresses, the dealerships that continue to flourish will move with the wave of EV integration and through the journey to 2035 there will be dealers that aren’t able or are not willing to do so. We’re here to support dealers throughout this change and will continue to be a forward-thinking finance partner for our dealers.

“And because we’re part of the Secure Trust Bank family, we have the financial backing and stability to make our pricing, products and services work for our customers. Our highly experienced and friendly team, with a rich background from many areas of the used vehicle industry, is committed to helping independent and franchised dealers to sell more used vehicles, more often, more of which will inevitably be EVs.”