Innovative ideas for zero-emission vehicles could benefit from a share of a £20 million funding pot announced by the Department for Transport. The DfT plans to launch a research and development competition in the field of e-mobility.
The competition is to focus on “some of the most promising electric vehicle technology innovations”. This could include zero-emission emergency vehicles, charging technology or EV battery recycling, according to the organizers.
£18 million of the funding was provided by the Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s, with the other £2 million provided by the government itself, which pledged to “support innovation from small businesses and organisations through the Niche Vehicle Network”.
The Niche Vehicle Network is “an independent association of more than 900 niche vehicle manufacturers and engineering companies, promoting research into low-carbon technology”.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps commented:
“The funding announced today will help harness some of the brightest talent in the UK tech industry, encouraging businesses to become global leaders in EV innovation, creating jobs and accelerating us towards our net-zero ambitions.”
The news follows a major budget allocation last week, where a “suite of innovation funding competitions backed by a combined £92m of investment to support energy storage, floating offshore wind power, and sustainable biomass production projects” was announced and allocated.
The goal is to support the government’s aim to phase out all sales of hybrid and combustion engine cars by 2035, with electric vehicles taking their place. The competition could also help to create around 6,000 skilled jobs over the next decade.
Previous winners of the contest include a pop-up charger initiative by Urban Foresight, which was given £3 million “to develop pop-up chargers that rise out of the pavement to provide a discreet, safe and low-cost EV charging solution to those without off-street parking”.
