Flat-packed electric trucks featuring Coventry University research

Researchers, from Coventry University are helping to drive net-zero trade in rural, emerging markets through electric delivery trucks.

The trucks are designed to be rugged, reliable, easy to maintain and able to withstand tough off-road conditions. They use long-life, lower-cost batteries which can be charged from solar energy, making them cheaper to run and look to support net-zero ambitions.

Part of the CLEAN (Clean Logistics for Emerging African Nations) project will also make delivery trucks more financially accessible for farmers in Africa as customers can use the trucks on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Coventry University’s input into the project will be led by Dr Marcos Kauffman, Director of Coventry University’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME).

Our approach

AME’s expertise in digital manufacturing and engineering will benefit the project as the institute will create a digital twin of each physical truck - an exact replica of the truck created in the virtual world.

The total project investment will be £17.1m, of which £8.5m is grant funded by Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). The money will enable OX Delivers to work in collaboration with Coventry University, Dana, Potenza and FLAGS Software on the CLEAN project over the next two and a half years.

University expertise and state of the art environment for testing

The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering  has been developed by Coventry University for industry, delivering teaching excellence with innovative research supported by the expertise found in the universities Research Centre for Manufacturing and Materials.

Located on a factory site, the UK’s first ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’ has developed an award-winning model that brings together academia, industry and research in a factory setting. AME researches areas such as digital manufacturing, digital twins, metrology 4.0, lasers and joining, structural Integrity and non-destructive testing, sustainable manufacturing and manufacturing innovation.

Find out more

The CLEAN project secured funding through the APC collaborative research and development competition, which supports innovative low-carbon automotive technology and aims to help propel the UK in the global race to secure electric vehicle value chains.

Find out more by emailing the Clean Growth and Future Mobility team at Coventry University.