£2m funding for Axon eco car

In its first funding round, the Wellingborough, Northamptonshire-based Axon Automotive was awarded the £2 million by the Technology Strategy Board. With additional funding from technology development firm, The Technology Partnership (TTP), the grant will be used toward the production of a 100 mpg lightweight city car. The car firm plans to use its innovation and specialised manufacturing processes to produce the most fuel-efficient European cars within three years. Axon aims to mass produce a hatchback city car, which combines existing low-emission engine technology with a super lightweight carbon fibre chassis and an advanced transmission system. The Axon-patented carbon fibre material is claimed to be as strong as steel at 40% the weight and is the key to the car’s low-cost and aerodynamic design. Axon is seeking an additional £5 million later this year to ensure that its next generation engineering will lead to the development of a hybrid version of the city car.