Going for zero in the automotive industry
STEM experts are at the forefront of innovation in the drive to produce the carbon-friendly cars of the future
Clean getaway: the new Metrocab produces 75 per cent less carbon dioxide than the current London taxi
By Chris Moss
Cars used to be measured by their ability to get from nought to 60 miles per hour in the fastest possible time. Now the race is on to get back to zero – emissions, that is.
The Government has already provided positive incentives – including grants of up to £8,000 for buyers of plug-in cars and vans – but legislation means car makers will soon be obliged to develop ultra-green technologies.
Last month, Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced that new taxis presented for licensing in the capital would have to be zero-emissions capable from January 1, 2018.
Students doing degrees in STEM subjects will be in increasing demand as the UK’s car manufacturing industry continues its green evolution.
“The face of car engineering is changing, and so are its engineers,” says Dave Suckley, human resources senior controller at Nissan, which sold its 100,000th Leaf last month. “The industry is becoming leaner, cleaner and smarter. The creativity and lateral thinking of highly skilled engineers enable our cars to be built. They are a key component in a production process that creates 2,000 vehicles a day.”
Launched in 2010, the Leaf was the world’s first mass-market zero-emissions electric vehicle. The latest model has an improved driving range of 123 miles, aimed at meeting the distances travelled by more than 80 per cent of motorists. Nissan Sunderland, where the Leaf is manufactured, is the UK’s biggest car plant, with 6,100 employees.
Suckley says teamwork and ambition are vital for developing cutting-edge automotive technologies. “We work in an environment where everyone pulls together in strong teams.
"We’re after people who meet challenges head on and are constantly looking to improve themselves. Another quality we require is a willingness to take responsibility. Graduate engineers are given responsibility for a small area within the plant, and their role will grow as they gain knowledge and experience.”
The new Metrocab, designed and built in Surrey by Ecotive, a sister company of electric powertrain specialist Frazer-Nash, can operate with zero emissions using its lithium-ion battery pack and, overall, produces 75 per cent less carbon dioxide than the current London taxi. What is widely recognised as groundbreaking is its extended range. In trials, the six-seater taxi has achieved runs of more than 347 miles without being topped up.
Gordon Dixon, regional operations director at Frazer-Nash, says such innovation is a result of aptitude combined with attitude. “What is learnt at college provides the baseline but there is a strong opinion here that a good employee is more than a piece of paper.
"We are always pushing the boundaries of technology and a lot of what we do is not taught to students as it will not yet be in the public domain, or even thought of at the time they are studying. Skills can always be developed but attitudes and passion are inherent in a person. The human elements often carry greater weight then degrees or accomplishments.”
Engineering recruitment agencies are also shifting their attention to environmental specialisms. “The field of green technology will open up new career paths,” says Keith Lewis, managing director of Matchtech.
“Reducing waste and pollution, creating manufactured products that can be reused, and the development of alternative fuels are just some examples of areas where the next generation of engineers will find opportunities to produce innovative changes to our daily life.”
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