Guidance

DRIVE35 Funding Programme: Innovation

DRIVE35’s 'Innovation' pillar comprises 3 competition strands to support R&D research and development projects in the UK automotive sector: Collaborate, Demonstrate and Mobilise.

From:
Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Department for Business and Trade
PublishedPublished:
14 July 2025
Last updated:
13 August 2026 — See all updates

DRIVE35 (Driving Research & Investment in Vehicle Electrification) is a £2.5£4 billion programme of capital and research and development (R&D) funding funding for the automotive industry,industry to including £500 million to 2035 to extend R&D support for 10 years.2035.

UK registered businesses can apply for grant funding for collaborative and individual business R&D projects, that design, develop and manufacture strategically important zero emission vehicle technologies, including:   

  • 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 (ICE) for on road applications, we will only fund project proposals which aim to achieve zero harmful tailpipe emissions utilising non-fossil fuels
  • ICE for off road applications, we 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

Funding will support pilot R&D projects which use innovations to improve productivity, cost competitiveness and reduce embedded carbon. Additionally, funding will support projects focused on software-defined vehicles and developing new electrical and electronic architectures.   

How to apply

Collaborate: OpenFind for applications. Apply now on the Innovation Funding Service or find out more information on the APC website.

Demonstrate: OpenFind for applications. Apply now on the Innovation Funding Service or find out more information on the APC website.

Mobilise: Coming soon. Find out more information on the APC website.

After you apply       

Your application will be reviewed by 54 independent assessors based on the content of your application and their skills or expertise relevant to your project.

DBT will carry out a value for money assessment.

Help and guidance

If you have any questions, contact:

Updates to this page

Published 14 July 2025
Last updated 13 August 2026 — Show all updates

  1. DRIVE35 programme funding updated from £2.5 billion to £4 billion, with funding available to 2035.

  2. First published.

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