Image: DysonDyson is understood to be working on the development of an electric car, according to government documents.
The vacuum cleaner giant has so far refused to confirm rumours since last year, but documents published by the National Infrastructure Delivery Plan appear to have accidentally confirmed it.
The papers read: “The government is funding Dyson to develop a new battery electric vehicle at their headquarters in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. This will secure £174m of investment in the area, creating over 500 jobs, mostly in engineering."
Despite the government documents seemingly confirming Dyson's plans, the company said it does not comment on products that are in development.
Dyson is famed for its high-powered electric motors used in its vacuum cleaners and hand dryers - exactly the type of technology required for electric cars.
Apple is also understood to be involved with the project. Last year, Dyson CEO Max Conze said: We are ruling nothing out. Like our friends in Cupertino [Apple] we are also unhealthily obsessive when it comes to taking apart our products to make them better.”
Earlier this week, Dyson reported a 20% rise in profits for 2015 and said it plans to invest around £1 billion in the development of battery technology. In October, Dyson bought US solid-state battery firm Sakti3 for $90m, which Sir James Dyson said had “developed a breakthrough in battery technology."
