DRIVE35 Innovation Fund

Grant funding for UK registered businesses, research organisations, and other eligible partners to develop and commercialise zero emission vehicle technologies through single or collaborative R&D and demonstration projects.

The DRIVE35 Innovation Fund is funded by the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) and delivered in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and Innovate UK (IUK).

The Fund is part of the UK Government’s DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) programme, which aims to support the transition to zero emission vehicles and a net zero automotive industry. It supports R&D projects that focus on the design, development and manufacture of strategically important technologies for the UK automotive sector.

Projects must contribute to the growth, transition and security of the UK automotive supply chain, increase capability, and improve productivity, efficiency and competitiveness. Proposals should deliver on-vehicle technologies or manufacturing capabilities that support zero emission vehicles, demonstrate a clear commercialisation pathway, and create or safeguard high value jobs with long-term economic benefit. Projects should also support sustained R&D investment in the UK.

The fund comprises two strands:

• Collaborate – supports collaborative R&D projects with a focus on design, development and enabling manufacture of technologies with commercialisation potential.
• Demonstrate – supports development of product or process demonstrators to showcase increased capability and commercial exploitation opportunities.

The fund forms part of a long-term commitment to driving growth in key sectors of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.