EUROPE’S FIRST WORKING 3D PRINTED ELECTRIC VEHICLE PRODUCED IN SWINDON

Honda may be closing its vehicle manufacturing works in the town, but that’s not the end for automotive innovation in Swindon.

The engineers behind Swindonbased tech company Scaled have built the UK’s first 3D printed electric vehicle.

The vehicle is a fully functioning electric vehicle for a single passenger using large scale 3D printing technology. The Chameleon is now available for driving demonstrations.

Scaled director Bob Bradley said: “Our prototype can achieve speeds of up to 45 mph and we have also used high-strength recycled plastic which is an additional environmental benefit to the electric vehicle aspect. In theory it should be possible to manufacture ecological light vehicles from materials that are currently dealt with as waste.” scal3d.com enable conversion of internal combustion engine powered machinery to a clean, powerful and reliable drive system steatite.co.uk solidstateplc.com

The team know that this type of vehicle won’t be suitable for everyone, however it could be ideal for those who don’t need to drive long distances, those needing to use a company vehicle for short journeys or security firms who need to patrol in a defined area.

It will initially be installed in a woodchipper manufactured by Alcesterbased GreenMech Ltd, Europe’s leading woodchipper manufacturer, with the aim to be the first UK-manufactured zero emission industrial woodchipper.

Driving A Green Recovery

More than £92 million in combined government and industry funding has been committed to 49 projects across the UK automotive sector to help drive a low-carbon future.

The investment, co-ordinated by the Coventry-based Advanced Propulsion Centre, includes vital support for industry research and development and funding for next-generation low-carbon technology. Through the Automotive Transformation Fund 31 projects are set to benefit from £17 million of investment in feasibility studies to support the future of green manufacturing and economic recovery for the UK.

The money will support commerciallyled research and development of manufacturing and product scale-up for a future automotive supply chain.

And £59 million will be committed to six automotive projects through the APC16 competition, including battery development, recycling and technology for cars, motorcycles, buses and commercial vehicles. The combined award with funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, matched by the industry partners, is aimed at providing support for technological growth, and will secure almost 3,000 jobs in the UK across research and manufacturing.

apcuk.co.uk

The region’s most influential B2B magazine, in-print and online for news, features, interviews and business sector analysis. Published by NK Media Ltd.

2021 print issues will be published in March, May, July, and October

Regional Coverage: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Thames Valley, Swindon, Worcestershire & Hereford, Coventry & Warwickshire

General Enquiries: enquiries@nkmedia.co.uk

Accounts: accounts@nkmedia.co.uk

Magazine Design: Origin Creative | www.origin-creative.com

Magazine Printers: The Manson Group | www.mansongroup.co.uk

Chief Photographer: Rob Lacey | www.roblaceyphotographer.co.uk

Contributing Editor: Ian Mean

Sub Editor: Joyce Matthews

Publisher: NK Media Ltd - Company number 10569394.

Registered Office: McGills, Oakley House, Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1US