Unlock £40 Million in Funding for Innovative Automotive Technology Startups!

Businesses in the UK focusing on late-stage research and development (R&D) in automotive technology now have the chance to access up to £40 million in government funding, alongside match funding from the industry.

This initiative is part of a new competition run by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) in collaboration with Innovate UK. The goal is to support projects that contribute to designing, developing, and manufacturing zero-emission automotive technologies.

Eligible projects should aim for net-zero technologies applicable for both on-road and off-road vehicles, including motorcycles. This competition welcomes UK-registered businesses of any size working on R&D projects that meet specific criteria:

• Involvement of at least one small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
• A project timeline of 18 to 36 months with a clear market entry plan
• Contributions to developing the UK’s capabilities in net-zero propulsion
• Efforts to lower CO2 emissions
• Use of digital tools and techniques
• Creation or protection of jobs within the UK
• Strengthening long-term UK R&D capabilities

Projects should focus on advancing technologies in areas such as:

• Energy storage and battery management
• Fuel cells and their components
• Electric motors
• Power electronics
• On-road vehicles using non-fossil fuels to achieve zero emissions
• Off-road vehicles also transitioning to non-fossil fuels
• Hydrogen storage solutions
• Design strategies promoting the reuse of materials
• Digital tools in vehicle design and development

Each project can claim up to 50% of eligible costs, with funding amounts ranging from £2.5 million to £20 million, pending official approvals.

Winning projects will gain valuable funding, collaboration opportunities, and access to expertise that can help bring new automotive technologies to market. This will support the UK’s transition to a zero-emission automotive industry and enhance its competitive edge globally.

Important dates for the competition:

Stage 1

• 14 January 2025 – Competition opens
• 15 January 2025 – Q&A session for applicants
• 14 March 2025, 11:00 GMT – Application deadline

To learn more about the competition, visit the APC website. For questions about project eligibility and tips for a strong application, contact the APC’s Business Development Team at [email protected].