The British motorcycle brand has been awarded funding by Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) 19, an initiative aiming to help automotive businesses advance their low-carbon technologies.
‘Zero Emission Norton’ will expand Norton’s electric vehicle (EV) engineering capabilities. The project will involve refining the traditional Norton design DNA to include ‘modern twists’, digital solutions and innovations, the company said in a statement.
Drawing on its engineering and design experience, Norton hopes to eliminate the issue of previous EVs compromising on range or performance due to battery size and weight causing vehicle design limitations.
The company will work with specialist project partners including Delta Cosworth, HiSpeed Ltd, Formaplex Technologies, M&I Materials, INDRA and academic partner WMG, University of Warwick.
Alongside these partners, Norton aims to develop technology and products that will enhance the UK supply chain for all critical components in EV technology.
Each partner on the project will have a specialist part to play. Delta Cosworth will design the battery pack, while HiSpeed Ltd bring motor and inverter design and manufacturing skills. Formaplex Technologies has expertise in precision composites manufacturing and M&I Materials will support on applications of dielectric cooling with its MIVOLT fluids. Indra Renewable Technologies specialises in vehicle to home charging technology, and WMG University of Warwick majors on battery technology, modelling and toolchain development.
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The 30-month project is expected to create a ‘significant’ number of jobs in manufacturing and R&D, Norton said, as well as upskilling existing staff to be capable of electric motorcycle engineering.
Robert Hentschel, CEO Norton Motorcycles said that the ‘milestone’ funding marks the beginning of the brand’s electrification journey and fulfilling its ten-year product plan.
“Working alongside our world class partners, we’re confident that project Zero Emission Norton will eliminate the current dispute between a conventional and electric motorcycle to create EV products that riders desire – motorcycles that blends Norton’s uncompromising design DNA with racing performance, touring range and lightweight handling,” he commented.
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