UK Transport Minister opens UK's highest capacity electric and hybrid vehicle driveline test facility at Intertek Milton Keynes

14 Jan 2016

Milton Keynes: Intertek, a leading quality solutions provider, today welcomes the Minister of State for Transport, Robert Goodwill MP, to open the UK's highest capacity electric and hybrid vehicle driveline test facility at Intertek's Milton Keynes test laboratory.

The new state-of-the-art facility at Intertek's automotive engine testing laboratory hosts some of the UK's highest capacity electric vehicle driveline testing equipment, including high capacity battery simulators and the latest exhaust emissions measurement systems in order to support the European automotive industry's continued push into driveline electrification.

This new facility cements Intertek Milton Keynes' position as the European centre of excellence for low carbon and electric vehicle development, which supports the increased demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, tougher rules on air quality emissions and CO2 reduction in future vehicles. Only six months ago, Intertek unveiled six of the highest-specification powertrain development test cells available commercially in the UK, seeing Intertek Milton Keynes lead the way as a centre of excellence for high end automotive testing and engineering services.

Tony Braddon, MD of Intertek Milton Keynes said: "Intertek is privileged to work in partnership with the best of Britain's automotive manufacturing industry to test and develop their vehicles' powertrains to ensure they are the best they can be. Working together, Intertek has recognised that the future of the automotive industry is changing and moving into a high- tech future where the use of internal combustion engines is being augmented and superseded by hybrid technology, batteries and electric motors."

Minister of State for Transport Mr Robert Goodwill said: "This impressive facility shows how the industry, with our support, is creating highly-skilled jobs and opportunities not just in Milton Keynes but across the whole automotive sector.

"It makes perfect sense that global companies like Intertek would choose to expand their UK base when we are the largest market for ultra-low emission vehicles in Europe. We are backing industry with a £600m investment until 2020 to ensure every new UK car and van is a zero emission vehicle by 2040," Goodwill added.

For further information, please contact:

Joanne Merriweather, Intertek UK PR Manager
Tel: 07786 525390, Email: Joanne.merriweather@intertek.com

Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies' success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users' expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.