Engine manufacturer Cummins has started work on a £14m test facility at its Darlington site.
The move, which is said to protect jobs, will see Cummins build a powertrain test facility where it will develop and test engine technologies for fuels including green hydrogen, renewable natural gas, and sustainable diesel.
It will also allow for testing of hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric technologies.
Read more: Go-Ahead issued £23.5m fine for 'appalling breach of trust' over LSER contract breaches
Ground preparation work is already under way and the new facility is expected to be up and running by May next year.
Jonathan Atkinson, executive director of Cummins On-highway Business in Europe, said: “We are very excited to announce this significant investment in the new Powertrain Test Facility at Darlington, which will be an important element in Cummins Destination Zero strategy to deliver a broad portfolio of power solutions to meet the world’s sustainability challenges.
“The new facility will further enhance the ability of Cummins European Technical Operations to introduce low-to-zero carbon power solutions and meet the forthcoming Euro VII very low emission regulations, likely to take effect around 2025."
Cummins said that highly advanced dynamometers - devices used to measure power - will also be used to test chassis-installed powertrains and vehicles, ranging from compact SUVs to heavy trucks of more than 44 tons or double decker buses.
Most Read
Off-road equipment, including construction machines and agricultural tractors, will also be able to be dyno-tested. The dynamometers will feature energy recovery systems that will allow Cummins to generate electricity for use elsewhere on its site.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s brilliant news that Cummins is set to invest £14m into their Darlington plant to build a new Powertain Test Facility.
"Teesside’s leading position as ground zero for net zero means there is no better place to develop the cleaner, healthier, and safer technologies of the future.
“We’ve already seen how Cummins’ position at the forefront of developments into hydrogen engines is securing hundreds of jobs at their facility and this new investment is another great example of how they are creating even more good-quality, well-paid jobs by developing and pushing forward net zero innovation in Teesside.”
Cummins' Darlington operation includes manufacturing, technical, testing and businesses services and employs around 1,500 employees. The firm said this investment would provide opportunities for upskilling of current employees and recruitment and training of new employees.
Automotive national officer for the union Unite, Steve Bush, said: “Today, Unite welcomes the huge investment by Cummins into the Darlington plant that will create and provide an exciting opportunity for the current workforce to upskill, as well as creating high quality and skilled jobs.
“It is clear that Cummins is at the forefront of the JUST initiative, the transition towards a climate-neutral economy in a fair way that leaves no one behind, and I urge government to support them in their efforts to fully transition.
Don’t miss
"Manufacturers like Cummins must be supported with an industrial strategy, that not only allows development but also shows global leadership in this area. Unite looks forward to supporting Cummins in this new era for manufacturing. Credit must be paid to the hard working, dedicated and committed workforce at Cummins.”
You can join the BusinessLive North East conversation on and