A NEW electric motor production facility for car makers has been officially opened by Business Secretary Greg Clark.

He visited Oxford University spinout YASA at Yarnton yesterday, which will support 150 skilled jobs and help deliver the next generation of environmentally-friendly hybrid and pure electric vehicles. Eighty per cent of the motors are destined for export around the world, including China.

Mr Clark said: “This is a wonderful example of what we want to achieve through investment in science and research.

“This is very much a partnership YASA has with its customers – so they work together on the applications.

“What everyone now expects to see is a big increase in the take-up of electric vehicles and almost every car manufacturer I speak to expects to move to either electric or hydrogen vehicles in the next couple of decades in totality.”

Mr Clark said the Government was working with local authorities to help provide more charging points for electric vehicles.

Referring to Brexit, Mr Clark said: “I am very keen to reflect what business says loud and clear, which is to have a transition period, an implementation period, of two years from the date we leave, March 2019. If this is agreed in March 2018 then that is in effect three years [transition].

"That will give people the confidence there will not be any sudden change in their arrangements while the final deal is being negotiated.

“One of the striking features of the discussions is that businesses large and small, whatever sector, they all have the same view, which is that a substantial, sensible transition based on the terms we have at the moment is the best way forward.”

YASA CEO Chris Harris said the company at Oxford Industrial Park was created eight years ago and moved to its new manufacturing base a year ago.

He added that YASA was signing contracts with major car companies but could not yet reveal their identity.

The technology produced by YASA is also used to power the 778 horsepower Jaguar C-X75, a two-seat concept car produced in partnership with Formula One team Williams F1 and capable of a top speed of more than 200mph.

YASA has received government support and investment for development through auto programmes including the Advanced Propulsion Centre, Innovate UK and Regional Growth Fund.

Mr Clark also announced an investment of £184m for 41 British universities to help to train the next generation of engineers and scientists.