Gordon Murray Group Receives £11m Government Grant for Development of Ultra-Lightweight EV Platform
The Gordon Murray Group (GMG) has been awarded a share of an £88 million innovation fund by the UK government to support the development of an “ultra-lightweight” electric vehicle (EV) platform. The Windlesham-based company, named after its founder, Formula 1 engineering legend Gordon Murray, is among 46 UK companies to receive funding through the government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre’s Collaborative R&D competition.
GMG will receive approximately £22.5 million, including an £11 million government grant, which it will share with Surrey-based Protean Electric, a developer of in-wheel motors for EVs. The funding will be used by GMG to facilitate the creation of a new vehicle platform called M-Lighten, which aims to make cars more energy-efficient to build and run, contributing to the UK’s decarbonization efforts.
While specific details about the platform have not been disclosed, Jean-Philippe Launberg, GMG’s strategy and business director, stated that the lightweighting achieved through M-Lighten will enhance the dynamics of their cars, taking driving perfection to the next level. GMG has previously revealed two V12-engined supercars, the T50 and T33, and has announced plans to develop EVs for global car manufacturers.
In addition to the development of the M-Lighten platform, GMG is also working on a pair of electric SUVs, with a focus on minimizing weight and maximizing efficiency. The government funding is expected to support the production of the platform that will underpin these future models. GMG has also confirmed its involvement in the development of a “very noisy” hybrid sports car.
Protean Electric, the co-recipient of the funding, will utilize the support to continue leading EV innovation from its UK development center. The company specializes in in-wheel motors, which offer precise vehicle control, reduce mass, and enable the use of smaller batteries. Bedeo, a UK firm, has already utilized Protean’s motors in an electric Land Rover Defender conversion, maintaining a similar weight to the original vehicle despite featuring a large 75kWh battery pack.
The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has awarded funding to a total of 46 companies for the rapid development of automotive projects. These projects include technology start-ups focusing on decarbonization technologies, collaborative R&D projects, and initiatives exploring zero-tailpipe-emission vehicle technologies within the niche vehicle sector. The APC emphasized the need for EV battery development projects, with the UK projected to require 110GWh of annual EV battery output by 2030. This demand could support the creation of a new, highly skilled battery industry and potentially generate around 270,000 jobs by 2040.
Other companies receiving funding include Equipmake for an electric fire engine, Triumph Motorcycles for a new software stack, Wrightbus for a new electric bus demonstrator, and Nyobolt, which is working on certifying its lightweight battery anode technology. The UK government’s investment in these projects highlights its commitment to advancing the EV industry and achieving its decarbonization goals.
