Geely partners with UK on low-emission car tech

Chinese automaker Geely will work with the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom on the development of low-emission automotive technology, the two sides announced this week.

The new partnership will see Geely leverage the skills of Birmingham's mechanical engineers in an effort to become a market leader in low-carbon vehicle production.

"It is exciting for Geely to add another influential partner, the University of Birmingham, to our global collaboration portfolio," said the company's Vice-President Wei Mei. "Birmingham is one of the top 100 universities in the world, and I believe our relationship would draw on the complementary expertise and advantages to help us pursue our shared aspirations and visions."

Geely manufactures several international brands including Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Polestar, and Lotus, and has already made inroads into the UK low-emission vehicle market through its subsidiary the London Electric Vehicle Company, or LEVC.

The department of mechanical engineering at Birmingham opened its Future Engines and Fuels Laboratory in 2007, which has since contributed innovations that enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in combustion engines.

Previously, the department has worked with Jaguar Land Rover on future engine technology, and with Shell and Brazilian company Cosan on the development of biofuels.

Earlier this year, engineers at the university and Chinese partner Wuxi Yuanchang Machinery received a grant from the UK government to jointly develop a new low-emission gas turbine that extends the range of electric vehicles.

"The University of Birmingham has strong industrial links aligned with our internationally recognized strengths in vehicle technology, and clean energy technology. This provides a great basis for our collaboration with Geely," said the university pro-vice-chancellor Andy Schofield.

"We look forward to working closely on education and research collaborative programs to help advance low-carbon automotive technology and the development of an efficient, green and sustainable mobility ecosystem for our respective countries," he added.

Geely has invested heavily in sustainable vehicles, driven in part by China's commitment to cut emissions in the transport sector. This year, Geely launched Geometry, its first pure electric brand. Geely Chief Executive An Conghui said the plan is to launch 10 all-electric models in multiple segments including sedans, sports utility vehicles, crossovers, and multi-purpose vehicles by 2025 under the Geometry banner.

In April, the company launched its first model, a high-end sedan called the Geometry A. Geely said immediately following its release, the car received 27,000 orders, 18,000 of which were from overseas.

Back in 2013, Geely acquired the London Taxi Company, which manufactures the UK capital's iconic black cabs. Geely rebranded the company as the LEVC and designed a new cab which runs on a hybrid engine, the TX.