£40m funding available for automotive technology businesses
UK-registered businesses involved in late-stage, collaborative research and development (CR&D) of automotive technology and processes can now apply for a share of up to £40m government funding matched by industry.
The latest competition facilitated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, and on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade, will provide funding to support CR&D projects that design, develop, and manufacture zero-emission automotive technology.
Eligible projects will include those looking to deliver net-zero, on-vehicle technologies for on or off-road applications, including two-wheelers, and accelerate the transition of the UK automotive supply chain. The competition is open to UK-registered businesses of any size running late-stage CR&D projects that meet the following criteria:
- Working consortium including at least one SME company
- Project duration of between 18-36 months with a clear route to market at the end of the project
- Helping to build UK capability in emerging net-zero propulsion technologies
- Reducing CO2 levels
- Utilising digital tools and techniques
- Creating and/or safeguarding UK jobs
- Helping to anchor long-term capability in UK research and development
Projects will need to advance technologies in one or more of the following areas:
- Energy storage, batteries, their components, management and integration systems
- Fuel cell and associated balance of plant
- Electric machines
- Power electronics
- On-road internal combustion which aims to achieve zero harmful tailpipe emissions utilising non-fossil fuels.
- Off-road internal combustion that supports a transition to zero emissions utilising non-fossil fuels.
- Hydrogen storage and management systems
- Design for circular economy, including the disassembly, recovery, and reuse of materials used in the project technologies
- Digitalisation for vehicle development and design
Individual projects can claim up to 50% of their eligible project costs in government match funding of between £2.5millon and £20million (any award is subject to Ministerial and His Majesty’s Treasury approval).
Successful projects will benefit from funding, collaboration opportunities and expertise to bring their new technology to market, helping to advance the UK’s journey to a zero-emission automotive industry, strengthen its global impact and anchor added value across its supply chain.
Key competition dates:
Stage 1
14 January 2025 – Competition opens
15 January 2025 – Applicant Q&A event
14 March 2025, 11:00 GMT – Application deadline
Further competition details are available on the APC website. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the APC’s Business Development Team at info@apcuk.co.uk to discuss their project’s eligibility and gain advice on how to submit the strongest application possible.
