The Government announced 4 Green Car Innovation Fund grants today which will bring new technologies, skills and job creation to Australian manufacturing. Over $6.2 million was awarded to component manufacturers CFusion, Toyoda Gosei Australia, Composite Materials Engineering and Hirotec. The components being developed to retool the automotive industry should help cars that are friendlier on the environment and the pocket – in this case, the Government expects the four projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 133,000 tonnes and significantly reduce fuel consumption.
CFusion is using funding of around $1.4 million to commercialise the world’s first one-piece carbon fibre automotive wheel, at about half the weight of aluminium wheels.Toyoda Gosei is using funding of over $2.3 million to introduce and refine technologies for manufacturing lighter components, namely body sealing products and safety system products, such as air bag modules and plastic interior trim products. CME is using funding of $797,399 to develop a high strength, lightweight sandwich panel to be used in the load floor of Australian vehicles. This product will significantly reduce the weight of the load floor whilst meeting all of the performance requirements for this component. Hirotec is using funding of over $1.6 million to produce lighter automotive components including aluminium hoods and deck lids using innovative product design to significantly reduce the overall weight of passenger motor vehicles.
The Government’s $5.4 billion New Car Plan, which includes the Green Car Innovation Fund, was intended to transform the Australian automotive industry and ensuring significant co-investment from around the world.
While the Fund closed to new applications in January to help fund flood recovery, it is continuing to generate approximately $2 billion in total project investment in the manufacturing sector. For information on new opportunities for clean technology research and development, contact Pattens on 1800 PATTENS.
