Coventry, a city that has been central to the history of the British motor industry for over a century, is now looking towards a sustainable, electrified future. Coventry’s MotorFest event, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, not only showcases the city’s rich automotive heritage but also looks towards new job opportunities in the automotive industry and alternative forms of transportation. With 100,000 people attending the event and £10 million being generated for local businesses, the impact of MotoFest goes beyond just a boost to the economy.
While some famous Coventry brands like the Standard Motor Company have disappeared, the city still manufactures the iconic London black cab, now in its electric version. Jaguar Land Rover, which has its headquarters in Coventry, has seen a turnaround since being acquired by Tata in 2008 and is now focusing on an electrified future. Coventry is poised to benefit greatly from this resurgence, with JLR’s Whitley HQ employing 6-7,000 people in powertrain R&D, providing high-paying and secure jobs for the city’s economy.
Coventry also houses the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), a national battery manufacturing scale-up facility that further supports the city’s position in the automotive industry. MotoFest not only celebrates Coventry’s past and current capabilities but also showcases alternative forms of transportation, such as a self-driving bus. The motorsport program at MotoFest, including sprint races and drifting demonstrations, attracts a large crowd and sparks interest in the car industry. Talks of bringing World Rallycross to Coventry could further elevate the event and the city’s profile.
With Coventry’s proximity to major UK cities, a World Rallycross race in Coventry could attract a huge local audience and boost the city’s visibility. Additionally, Coventry is taking a leadership role in providing infrastructure for decarbonization, with over 2,000 on-street charging points and plans for all buses to be electric by 2025. A strategic partnership with energy company E.ON aims to help Coventry decarbonize by investing in projects like insulation, EV chargers, green power supply, and solar PV farms.
E.ON’s sponsorship of MotoFest and the Veloce Extreme E team highlights their commitment to promoting the electrification of transportation in Coventry. The relationship with Extreme E has been beneficial for showcasing electric racing and promoting diversity, inclusion, and innovation. The electrification of transport is seen as a key to decarbonization, with opportunities like using vehicle batteries for load balancing supply via vehicle to grid. MotoFest plays a crucial role in promoting the benefits of the future alongside celebrating the automotive past, encouraging more car buyers to choose sustainable options and make the right decisions for combating climate change.
