The UK Government has £17 million available to invest in innovative zero emission vehicles projects. The competition aims to address challenges associated with their uptake in the UK.
Firstly, funding is available for feasibility studies and collaborative research and development projects. Projects must provide on-vehicle innovative solutions that support the transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) in line with the Government’s transport decarbonisation aims. Solutions should address one or more of the following challenges:
- Improve ZEV capability
- Increase adoption of small commercial ZEVs
- Support transition to zero emission for special use vehicles
- Improve ZEV user experience
- Improve sustainability of ZEVs
Applicants can address these challenges in one of two ways: 1) using new, highly innovative solutions or 2) by advancing an existing innovation or R&D project.
Transitioning towards Zero Emission Vehicles: Feasibility Studies
Up to £1 million is available for feasibility studies. Your project should have total eligible costs between £300,000 and £600,000. It must start by 1st August 2021 and end by 31st March 2022, lasting no longer than 8 months.
At the end of the feasibility study, your project must be ready to continue in future R&D competitions. In addition, you should be able to raise private sector investment to take the project outcome to market.
Transitioning towards Zero Emission Vehicles: Collaborative Research and Development
Up to £6 million is available for collaborative research and development projects. Again, your project must have total eligible costs between £300,000 and £600,000. It should start by 1st August 2021 and end by 31st March 2022, lasting no longer than 8 months.
Infrastructure solutions for zero emission vehicles
Secondly, up to £10 million is available for innovative infrastructure solutions that support the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles. Innovate UK will fund feasibility studies and research and development projects that address one or more of the following infrastructure challenges:
- Improve public residential charging in urban areas
- Improve rural charging
- Advance fleet charging solutions
- Enhance the ZEV user charging experience
Your project must have total eligible costs between £300,000 and £800,00 and the lead organisation must be a UK registered business. In addition, you have to work in collaboration; this may be with another UK-registered business or with an academic institution, charity, not-for-profit, research organisation or research and technology organisation (RTO).
The competition is open from Monday 15th March until Wednesday 21st April. However, there’s no need to let the short turnaround stop you from applying! Our expert advisers are on hand to help; contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.
