DRIVE35 Innovation Fund: Demonstrate

DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) 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.

As a key component of the dissemination requirements for this competition, there will be an opportunity to showcase your project outcomes at the 2027 Cenex Expo. All projects must be prepared for potential selection to represent themselves at this event.

This competition has two strands. This is strand 2 (DRIVE35 Innovation Fund: Demonstrate).

The aim of strand 2 is to develop a product or process demonstrator in order to show increased capability and commercial exploitation opportunity as a result of the project.

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

Theme 1: Promote zero-emission vehicle technologies

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, their management, and their 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

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, such as 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

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 or 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 in, 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

To lead a collaborative project or work alone, your organisation must be a UK registered business of any size.

To collaborate with the lead, your organisation must be one of the following UK registered organisations:

• Business of any size
• Academic institution
• Charity
• Nonprofit
• Public sector organisation
• Research and technology organisation (RTO)