ASTON Martin's high-performance electrification strategy has received a significant boost with a £9-million government grant awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC). This funding will further support the research and development of Aston Martin's innovative modular battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform.
The government grant underscores the commitment to the development of Aston Martin's luxury BEV platform, crucial to the company's journey toward achieving net-zero emissions. The funding will be invested in areas such as vehicle lightening, the development of a digital toolchain, and electrification training.
The announcement marks another milestone in Aston Martin's electrification program, which is a key component of the company's broader 'Racing. Green' sustainability strategy. Aston Martin has committed £2 billion to advanced technologies over the next five years, signifying a shift from internal combustion engines (ICE) to BEV technology.
Project Elevation, a collaborative research and development project led by Aston Martin, is supported by partners such as the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Expert Tooling and Automation, Creative Composites, Fuzzy Logic Studio, and WMG, University of Warwick. This project aims to address the technical challenges associated with developing an 800-volt lightweight traction battery pack and twin front electric drive unit (EDU) integrated into a modular BEV platform capable of accommodating vehicles ranging from supercars to SUVs.
'The award of funding from the APC is another major boost to our electrification strategy and constant strive for innovation. Providing further resources to explore the possibilities of our bespoke BEV platform, it will help achieve our ambition to be an in-house BEV technology leader in the ultra-luxury, high-performance segment. We look forward to progressing this project with our collaborative partners and thank the APC for their incredible support,' said Roberto Fedeli, Group Chief Technology Officer of Aston Martin.
Aston Martin is actively working on alternatives to traditional ICEs, with the first all-electric Aston Martin scheduled for launch in 2025. In 2024, the company will deliver its first plug-in hybrid, the mid-engined supercar Valhalla. By 2026, all new Aston Martin model lines will incorporate an electrified powertrain option, with the long-term objective for its core range to be fully electrified by 2030.