Trials are being held for a new electric vehicle cargo delivery system.
Warwick Manufacturing Group, based at University of Warwick, is working on the designs which it is hoped will one day replace petrol and diesel delivery vans.
Funding from the West Midlands Innovation Programme - part of the region's Innovation Accelerator - is being used by the so-called Last Mile Logistics Project to turn the university's campus into a testbed for a small fleet of low-speed electric delivery vehicles.
Researchers want to work with the Department for Transport to see how the data and learnings from the trials can help understand the barriers to making these vehicles legal to use on º£½ÇÊÓƵ roads and cycle lanes.
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As the trials progress, the project team will also champion the region and its established automotive supply chain to help to establish the West Midlands as an assembly hub for this new type of vehicle, creating local jobs.
The Last Mile Logistics Project is a partnership between the university and Transport for West Midlands.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "The West Midlands has led transport innovation for centuries - from Watt's steam engine to the first bicycle and petrol car.
"Now, in the 21st century, we're stepping up to tackle modern-day challenges.
"With online shopping booming, the delivery sector is playing an ever-increasing role in our regional economy, generating much-needed jobs for local people.
"That's why I'm funding the Last Mile Logistics Project to find new ways of keeping goods moving while cutting congestion and improving air quality.
"The Government is backing my plan to invest in top talent and tech so we can reduce our carbon emissions and get everyone to net zero while creating jobs."
Mark Urbanowski, principal engineer for micromobility at Warwick Manufacturing Group, added: "We couldn't run these trials without Innovation Accelerator funding. These vehicles aren't legal on º£½ÇÊÓƵ roads yet so they're not available to buy.
"The funding allowed us to adapt a cargo bike with throttle control and bring in proven models from the Netherlands, now being tested by the university's delivery, waste and maintenance teams.
"It's going to take a shift in behaviour and more regulatory and legislative work to get these low-speed vehicles into use. There's real potential to lower emissions, improve air quality and reduce congestion in our communities.
"Economically, tens of thousands could be rolled out, all designed, engineered and built in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ with a full supply chain behind them."
