INTERTEK has opened a new electric and hybrid vehicle test facility in Milton Keynes that will support the government’s pledge for every new car and van to be emission-free by 2040.

Opened by Transport Minister Robert Goodwill, the new laboratory belonging to the testing and certification company is the UK’s highest capacity electric vehicle testing centre and will employ 100 people.

The new state-of-the-art facility at Intertek’s automotive engine testing laboratory hosts some of the UK’s highest capacity electric vehicle drive-line testing equipment.

It includes high capacity battery simulators and the latest exhaust emissions systems to measure how plug-in hybrid vehicles produce emissions with their interaction of combustion and electric propulsion, to support the European automotive industry’s continued push into driveline electrification.

Working in partnership with best of Britain’s automotive manufacturing industry

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is changing and moving into a high-tech future where the use of internal combustion engines is being augmented and superseded by hybrid technology, batteries and electric motors.”

The minister said, “This impressive facility shows how the industry, with our support, is creating highly-skilled jobs and opportunities 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 £600 million investment until 2020 to ensure every new UK car and van is a zero emission vehicle by 2040.”