The UK government is to invest over £30 million to fund pioneering research into battery and hydrogen technology to power tomorrow’s vehicles.

Twenty two studies will receive a share of £9.4 million, including proposals to build a plant in Cornwall that will extract lithium for use in electric vehicle batteries; a plant to build specialised magnets for electric vehicle motors in Cheshire, and develop lightweight hydrogen storage for cars and vans in Loughborough.

The government-backed Faraday Institution is also committing the first year of a £22.6 million programme to continue its work to further improve the safety, reliability and sustainability of batteries.

This funding comes ahead of the phasing out of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK by 2030, as pledged in the government’s 10 Point Plan for a green industrial revolution.

Minister for Investment Gerry Grimstone said, “We have set an ambitious target to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. To support that, it is crucial we invest in research so we can power ahead with the shift to electric vehicles as we build back greener from the pandemic.”

The Faraday Institution will also examine the use of batteries on the energy grid and for aerospace.