Gov offers £20m for low carbon automotive tech

The Advanced Propulsion Centre and Innovate UK are looking for projects that demonstrate the development of on-vehicle technologies for on or off-road vehicles, offering up to £20 million for late-stage research and development in advanced low carbon propulsion in the automotive sector.

Projects must either accelerate the development of low and zero tailpipe emission capable technologies, or demonstrate a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions leading to air quality improvements.

Proposals should align with the UK’s Industrial Strategy and must demonstrate how high value research and development will take place in the UK as a result of this funding.

The Advanced Propulsion Centre is particularly looking for projects that support the UK’s long-term supply chain, associated capabilities and growth aspirations. This includes improving productivity and competitiveness in the design, build and manufacture of low and zero tailpipe-emission capable vehicles.

This can include projects that will make a major investment in:

• creating new supply chains supporting the transition to electrification and zero emission vehicles;
• adding resilience to existing supply chains;
• delivering a UK-centric high value manufacturing and sourcing footprint;
• lowering the overall cost of goods sold to customers;
• joining together less productive or mature elements of existing UK supply chains;
• attracting new companies into the sector;
• risk screening to identify risks in the proposed supply chain developments; and
• improving the manufacturing readiness level of your technology.

The statement explained that projects must be directly focused on or relate to one or more of the following strategic technology themes: alternative propulsion systems; electric machines and power electronics; energy storage and energy management; lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures; thermal propulsion systems that deliver substantial improvements.

Projects must also be led by a UK business and must involve at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). Finally, applicants must include a vehicle manufacturer or tier 1 supplier, with total eligible costs 50 per cent match funded and between £5 million and 40 million in value.

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