Derby enters strategic partnership to develop mobility solutions

Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Derby City Council have signed a partnership agreement to explore, develop and deliver mobility solutions with the aim of tackling climate change.

The Toyota-Derby Revolution in Energy and Access to Mobility (T-DREAM) will focus on a range of projects over the next two or three years, including exploring how future low-carbon society systems can operate in Derby, and how the partnership can innovate to achieve a positive recovery for Derby’s economy.

Last year, Derby City Council announced its strategy to become the UK’s centre of excellence for future fuel technologies, with the aim of using the city’s engineering industry to revolutionise how low-carbon energy is used to power businesses, transport and homes.

Cllr Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: ‘Derby is the obvious place to support UK manufacturing, not just for the decarbonisation of transport, but to provide clean domestic and industrial energy, and support other regions with the transition to mass production of future fuels, with components, solutions and skills provided by Derby and the East Midlands.

‘Mobility is vital. It reduces isolation and loneliness and improves social and economic resilience by connecting communities.

‘We know that we need clean energy, and we need progressive action to tackle climate change. This partnership means we can build opportunities for our communities and the economy of the future. Together we can explore these high-level issues and find where our shared skills, knowledge and expertise can improve quality of life in Derby.’

Richard Kenworthy, managing director of Toyota Manufacturing UK, said the signing of the collaboration agreeing will allow Toyota the opportunity to explore mobility products and solutions to support Derby in achieving its climate agenda.

‘Toyota’s ambition is to be a mobility company.  We want to be able to propose sustainable mobility products and services to a wide variety of stakeholders with a strong focus on hydrogen and the role that it can play in transforming society.  Derby City’s goals are very much in line with our own and this partnership agreement reinforces that collaboration going forward,’ he said.

In related news, Coventry City Council has announced plans to install hundreds of new electric vehicle (EV) charging points and a new bus charging facility.

Photo by Katy Mackenzie