DRIVE35 Innovation Fund: Collaborate

Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE35) is a programme led by the Department for Business and Trade aimed at transforming the UK's automotive industry. This competition is part of a long-term commitment for driving growth sectors within the government’s Industrial Strategy.

The competition is split into two strands. This is strand 1(DRIVE35 Innovation Fund: Collaborate).

The aim of strand 1 is to support collaborative research and development (R&D) projects that design, develop, and enable manufacturing of technologies that target post-project commercialisation.

Your proposal must fall within one or more of the following:

Theme 1: Promote Zero-Emission Vehicle Technologies

You must focus on product and process innovations that contribute to achieving zero emissions for on-board vehicle applications in one or more of the following areas:

• Electrical energy storage: development of batteries, supercapacitors, their components, management, and integration systems
• Electric machines and associated driveline
• Power electronics including vehicle-to-everything (V2X)
• Internal combustion engines for on-road applications; the programme will only fund project proposals that aim to achieve zero harmful tailpipe emissions utilising non-fossil fuels
• Internal combustion engines for off-road applications; the programme will fund project proposals that support a transition to zero emissions utilising non-fossil fuels
• Lightweight materials and manufacturing processes
• Fuel cell systems and associated balance of plant
• Hydrogen storage and management systems

Theme 2: Enhance Manufacturing Competitiveness

You must focus on R&D projects that use innovations to enable productivity and cost competitiveness and reduce embedded carbon. These will be across all aspects of zero-emission vehicle and technology manufacturing and their associated supply chain in one or more of the following areas:

• Digital transformation: Integration of digital tools within the manufacturing process; for example, the use of AI, digital twins, vision systems, and internet of things (IoT)
• Manufacturing process decarbonisation: Switching processes to use non-fossil energy sources or innovations, enabling reduced energy consumption within manufacturing processes including capture and reuse
• Lean manufacturing: Implementation of innovative lean principles to improve circularity of materials used in processes, reduce their environmental impact, and improve efficiency including the use of advanced automation techniques
• Supply chain development: Initiatives for suppliers to improve their processes, capability, and capacity for R&D and subsequent industrialisation; for example, flexible production lines to service multiple customers to lower capital investment, as well as UK capability-building to enable market access and sustainability

Theme 3: Future Vehicle Innovation – Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) and Electrical/Electronic (E/E) Architectures

You must focus on innovations in software and E/E architecture to enhance zero-emission vehicle functionality and reduce time to market. These projects will leverage the UK's unique innovation skills for global product competitiveness in one of more of the following areas:

• Integrated E/E systems: Development of scalable and flexible E/E architectures, including software platforms and hardware design that support advanced vehicle functionalities and future technologies
• Validation and verification technology: Use of digital twins and in-the-loop (xIL) innovations to create comprehensive models of E/E systems, enabling rapid simulation, optimisation, and validation of interconnected systems
• Embedded software development: Innovations for, including in the creation of, embedded software that decrease time to market and enhance vehicle performance, safety, security, and connectivity
• Network communications: Development of robust network communication systems to support the integration of various electronic components and systems within the vehicle
• Control systems: Advanced control systems that improve vehicle functionality and performance

The consortium must contain at least one UK-registered micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME) claiming grant funding on this application.

Include in your consortium a vehicle manufacturer or Tier 1 supplier that supplies parts directly to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).