Be at the forefront of next generation travel

The Centre for Future Clean Mobility at the University of Exeter is redesigning the road to zero carbon

Existing Expertise at Exeter

At the heart of our work is a focus on meeting industry needs. We partner with companies at the forefront of their industry, whether on land, sea or sky. Our aim is to make sure their future is clean by reducing emissions, maximising energy usage and increasing autonomy so the machines can engage with each other for better results. We achieve this through:

  • optimisation designing, modelling and testing cutting edge ideas in batteries, automation and aerodynamics,
  • retro-fitting existing machines and futureproofing technology.

Director of the Centre for Future Clean Mobility - Prof Chris Smith

Prof Chris Smith is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Exeter and Director of the Centre for Future Clean Mobility. He graduated from the University of Leeds in 1992 and remained there completing a PhD in Biomaterials in 1995. He was appointed Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering in January 2000. Prof Smith uses simulation tools to improve design and performance of machines. His collaborations have included Rolls-Royce, Quattro Group and Babcock International. It is through established relationships that Prof Smith has identified the potential of the Centre for Future Clean mobility where he will work in partnership with computer scientists and mathematicians to further refine pro-typing and testing of new concepts.

Current Partnerships:

We have a wealth of partnerships with national and international companies, below are a select few which we have recently been publically recognised for our contributions. read more on our website here.

Supacat - We have developed a six-wheel drive Hybrid All-Terrain Mobility Platform (H-ATMP). The vehicle can be air-dropped, pull heavy loads up steep slopes and through rough terrain, and is also amphibious.

Plymouth Boat Trips - We are part of a consortium that won MarRI-UK funding to retrofit an electric engine on an existing boat to create the world’s first electric passenger ferry.

BMT Goup - The BMT has a longstanding collaboration with Exeter which has student design at the heart of the partnership. A 2020 student project has just been submitted to The Dyson Awards.

Our Vision

Electric and hybrid cars are a common sight but other forms of transport lag behind. Most heavy-duty vehicles, boats and trains still rely on diesel for their power, but this must change. Stricter regulations are being introduced across sectors which come with tight deadlines and so a second revolution is underway to redesign the engine with better, cleaner technology.

Our vision is for the Centre for Future Clean Mobility to lead this second revolution in the UK and hold international influence.

We will become a trusted partner with key businesses, responding to their needs and tailoring our work to fit their targets, services and deadlines. At present our facilities do not have the capacity to house such large scale machines so we require a dedicated space with easy access for business partners, office space and a fully equipped engineering lab to enable us to get under the hood of these big machines, test powertrains and battery packs.

  • We aim to expand now to utilise existing momentum and leverage UK Government funding to deliver results for industry as soon as possible.
  • We aim to build a new 40,000m2 facility at Exeter Science Park will co-locate companies and researchers providing world-class lab space with innovative engineers offering direct commercial implications.
  • The new home for the Centre for Future Clean Mobility will become a go-to hub for businesses to engage directly with the team, so we can demonstrate our capabilities and secure new partnerships.
  • Alongside commercial innovation we will provide demand-led training programmes, in partnership with companies to make sure our education platform produces engineers with the right skills for today's workforce.

A fund injection now would transform Centre for Future Clean Mobility into a national player, attracting further investment not only in the University, but in the whole South West region.