Ford opens £24m electric vehicle test lab

Ford has opened its new £24m ‘propulsion development laboratory’ at its UK headquarters in Dunton, which will play a key role in delivering the manufacturer’s electric vehicle (EV) plans.

The new facility, which was opened by transport minister Anthony Browne on Wednesday (February 14), comprises eight vehicle-size rooms capable of testing electric power units and propulsion systems.

Ford says that this will maximise development time, including round-the-clock component reliability sign off. 

The new laboratory’s test rooms are configured to test EV, hybrid and combustion powertrains, flexing between technologies in anticipation of market changes and customer requirements, it says.

The first testing being undertaken in the new lab will involve E-Transit Courier, E-Transit Custom and Ford Puma Gen-E programmes.

Lisa Brankin, chair and managing director of Ford Britain and Ireland, said: “This is the third new test facility opened on our Dunton Campus in two years, underpinning the site’s key role in delivering Ford’s electric vehicle plan in Europe.”

In the past two years, Ford has invested £47m in the adjacent advanced propulsion laboratory (APL) and separate E Prime (Electrified Powertrain in Manufacturing Engineering) prototype build facility, also toured by the transport minister. 

APL specialises in minimising noise and vibration from EV powertrains as well as developing hybrid powertrains for the latest emissions regulations, while E Prime develops advanced manufacturing processes, producing prototype EV components  ahead of volume production. 

Last year, the E Prime team completed 150 electric power units, involving employees from Ford Halewood Plant on Merseyside where over 400,000 of the power units will be assembly annually from later this year.

Browne also met some of the apprentices based at Ford Dunton, who are among over 300 apprentices including advanced and degree-level employed by Ford and its Trust Ford dealers in Britain, and was shown their Transit Connect development vehicle project.

He said:  “It was fantastic to visit Ford and test drive their new BlueCruise technology as well as open its state-of-the-art modular test lab, which are essential for scaling up the UK’s electric vehicle production.

“It’s great to see a commitment to UK EV development following our ZEV mandate becoming law earlier this year, meaning we have a clear pathway for reducing car and van emissions.”

Ford is launching nine new EV vans and cars by 2025, including five van-based vehicles.