A BUSINESS in Abingdon is creating new technology for electric and low carbon cars as demand for more sustainable vehicles grows.

The number of electric vehicles in the Vale of White Horse, which includes Abingdon, rose by over 50 per cent last year, according to figures published by the Department for Transport.

The figures show there were 906 battery-electric vehicles across the area at the end of last year – up from 576 at the end of 2020, a 57 per cent rise.

This means 330 electric vehicles were newly registered in 2021 – more than 25 per cent, compared to 238 the year before.

It comes as the Government aims to phase out petrol and diesel-powered cars by 2030, with battery electric vehicles planned to account for all car sales by 2035.

Across the UK, the number of electric vehicles on the roads almost doubled, increasing by 94 per cent from 215,000 at the end of 2020 to 420,000 last year.

On average an electric car will emit around one-third less carbon dioxide than an equivalent petrol or diesel cars.

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Zircotec, which is based in Nuffield Way and specialises in heat management, is to take over a 10,000 square foot building which will be dedicated to producing technology for low and zero carbon vehicles.  

Their patented ceramic coatings and thermal barrier heat shield technologies were adopted by Formula 1 and supercar manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin, but their products have also been used for EV and low carbon vehicles and they say this trend is expected to continue.

The move is expected to create 80 new jobs as Zircotec  works to develop products applicable to low carbon and zero-carbon vehicles, including hydrogen fuelled vehicles, thanks to funding from the UK Advanced Propulsion Center (APC) and Innovate UK. 

Graeme Barette, chief commercial officer at Zircotec, said: “We believe in the importance of supporting emerging and innovative technologies.

“Our expansion into a new facility dedicated to supporting current and future programmes will contribute to the UK Government's targets of reducing CO2 emissions from transportation technologies

“Zircotec has benefitted from 40 per cent growth since the start of this year alone, and the continued development of our diversified client-base will stand us in good stead to achieve our ambitious target of 100 per cent growth by the end of the year.

“With significant growth planned, we are actively recruiting for a high number of roles. Zircotec aspires to create a training and development academy to support local workers and offer meaningful career paths.”

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