n NEWS THE UK GOVERNMENT IS contributing half of the cost of a £20m UK-German project to develop an ultra-compact, high-power electric drive system for high-performance EVs. The Ignited project, led by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains – which produces engines for Formula 1 cars – is expected to create more than 150 high-value jobs in Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire, while securing a further 34 existing roles. UK partners in the project include the Oxfordshire-based electric motor developer Yasa, which is owned by Mercedes-Benz, and the Stoke-on-Trent precision gear specialist, DePe Gear. Production of the new drive system is expected to start within three years. The Government is backing the initiative with £10m through the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre, which provides funding to develop cutting-edge zero-emission vehicle technologies. The project is intended to strengthen the UK’s EV supply chains and reinforce Britain’s position as a global hub for automotive innovation, delivering on a central aim of the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy. According to Yasa’s founder and chief technology officer, Tim Woolmer, the project “represents an important milestone for the future of high-performance electric drive technology. Government support through the Advanced Propulsion Centre has been essential in enabling this next phase of R&D to remain in the UK, safeguarding specialist engineering roles and helping us accelerate breakthrough innovation alongside our partners at Mercedes-AMG. “As we continue to scale our industry-leading axial-flux motor technology,” he adds, “projects like Ignited strengthen the UK’s position as a global centre of excellence for advanced electric powertrain development.” The Government says the project demonstrates its commitment to the automotive sector. The Chancellor of the Exchequer recently announced an additional £1.5bn for the Drive35 programme, bringing the total capital and R&D funding for this programme to £4bn for the period to 2035 – the largest-ever UK Government investment in automotive history. Drive 35, part of the modern Industrial Strategy, aims to electrify manufacturing hotspots nationwide, strengthening supply chains and securing jobs. The funding is supporting the electrification of vehicle plants alongside investment in batteries, electric motors, hydrogen fuel cells, and power electronics. Yasa, which recently produced its 50,000th axial-flux motor, has also been demonstrating a prototype in-wheel drive based on a 12.7kg motor that can deliver 750kW of peak power and a continuous output of 350–400kW. Yasa has also developed a matching 15kg inverter that can deliver 1.5MW of power – equivalent to a power density of 100kW/kg. Yasa says that the current state-of-the-art for such inverters is 50–70kW/kg. The company adds that due to the in-wheel drive’s “incredible” regenerative performance, it could dramatically downsize, or even eliminate the need for, conventional braking systems on the rear axle. Eliminating components such as disc brakes and drive shafts could save up to 200kg and, by optimising the vehicle’s structure for inwheel motors, the potential weight savings could amount to around 500kg. January 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com 8 Woolmer: strengthening the UK as a global centre of excellence for powertrain developments. Image: Yasa £20m UK-German project aims to develop high-performance electric vehicle drive systems EVENTS Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 26 3–5 February, 2026 Farnborough, UK The regional event is expected to attract more than 500 exhibitors from a variety of sectors including mechanical engineering, electronics, electrical engineering and production hardware. More than 10,000 people are likely to visit the Farnborough site where they can hear talks from over 50 experts, as well as attending the exhibition. www.southern-manufacturingelectronics.com/en National Manufacturing Summit 26 February, 2026 MTC, Coventry The event brings together leading UK manufacturing and engineering experts to discuss, debate and set the agenda for the key subject areas that will drive the country’s manufacturing competitiveness forwards. https://nmsummit.co.uk MACH 2026 20–24 April, 2026 NEC, Birmingham The manufacturing technologies event, organised by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), has sold more than 90% of its available floorspace. More than 30,000 members of the UK manufacturing community are expected to attend. Spread across five halls will be a series of interactive Knowledge Hubs providing visitors with impartial advice. One Hub will be dedicated to Automation and Robotics; another will focus on Data and AI. https://www.machexhibition.com Hannover Messe 2026 20-24 April, 2026 Hannover, Germany The industrial mega-show returns to its North German venue and is expected to attract around 4,000 exhibitors (including more than 300 start-ups) from the engineering and digital industries, as well as the energy sector. AI will be a common thread. There will be three main exhibition areas: Automation & Digitalisation; Energy & Industrial Infrastructure; and Research & Technology Transfer. The partner country for 2026 is Brazil. www.hannovermesse.de/en Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 3–4 June, 2026 NEC, Birmingham Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW), described as the UK’s biggest festival of advanced manufacturing and engineering, will have a fresh look and new features for 2026. It includes Drives & Controls, Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Design & Engineering Expo, the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit and The Manufacturer Top 100 Awards. New attractions for 2026 include fighting robots, extra showfloor theatres, and Future Stage – a window into the future of industry. www.smartmanufacturingweek.com
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