![\"DRIVE35](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DRIVE35-Steps-diagram.png\"\/)
![\"DRIVE35](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DRIVE35-Steps-diagram.png\")
<\/p>\nDRIVE35 is a \u00a34bn, 10\u2011year programme providing accessible funding and expert support to accelerate zero\u2011emission vehicle innovation, scale\u2011up and transformation across the UK automotive sector.<\/p>\n
In July 2025 the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) announced a new funding initiative, Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE35). Launched as part of the government\u2019s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan and the UK\u2019s Modern Industrial Strategy, DRIVE35 is designed to ensure innovation in the sector not only continues but accelerates.<\/p>\n
Delivered in partnership with the Department for Business & Trade, Innovate UK and the APC, DRIVE35 is a 10-year, \u00a34bn programme that will support zero-emission vehicle projects in the UK. Big and bold, DRIVE35 is the Government\u2019s\u00a0commitment\u00a0to secure the UK\u2019s place at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development. Since it launched, the APC has facilitated funding for 101 zero-emission projects involving 201 partners.<\/p>\n
DRIVE35 represents a fundamental shift in the funding landscape, with funding never being as clearly defined or accessible. Ultimately, DRIVE35\u00a0acts to\u00a0maintain\u00a0vehicle manufacturing in the UK, safeguard\u00a0highly skilled\u00a0jobs,\u00a0and\u00a0establish\u00a0a sovereign-based, world-leading, globally competitive supply chain for zero-emission technologies, encouraging direct investment and generating significant export revenue.<\/p>\n
The DRIVE35 programme has three funding objectives: supporting innovation; accelerating scale-up; and enabling transformation. These broad objectives allow considerable flexibility in the type, size, scale and focus of supported projects. In addition to funding, successful applicants will benefit from expert guidance from the APC and its partners.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Supporting innovation <\/p>\n
This objective is focused on delivering SME growth and late-stage R&D projects. Under this funding pillar, there are 3 competitions, and the journey starts with Mobilise.<\/p>\n
Mobilise<\/a> is unique in the funding ecosystem in that it does not just focus on technology validation, its core purpose is to mentor organisations to ensure they are investment and market ready. Aimed at SMEs, start-ups, spinouts, and even more mature organisations with early-stage R&D projects, successful companies work with a carefully curated team of experts to help navigate obstacles to success, such as perceived market knowledge, business planning gaps, IP, certification, and more.<\/p>\n This vital programme builds the bridge between developing a business concept and getting it to a stage where companies can secure external finance. The money the APC provides is vital, but it is the support through coaching, consultancy, and building commercial relationships that can be transformative.<\/p>\n Once a concept is proven and an initial investment achieved, the next vital stage is to develop a demonstrator, a working prototype to support further validation and investment.<\/p>\n About:Energy<\/a>, a successful Mobilise candidate, used the programme\u2019s funding, mentoring and industry connections to pivot its business model, launch its Voltt battery data platform and become both investment and market\u2011ready.<\/p>\n The Demonstrate<\/a> programme enables companies to accelerate their R&D programme by building a product or process demonstrator in under 12 months. Successful applicants also have the potential to showcase at Cenex Expo, which Triumph Motorcycles<\/a> did in 2025, when they demonstrated a second-generation electric motorcycle software platform on the Demonstrate stand.<\/p>\n The next step on the journey is Collaborate<\/a>, which provides match-funded grants to a consortium of partners formed across industry and academia to support the design, development, and delivery of strategic ZEV technologies. Funding is on a much larger scale, as the goal of the programme is to reach commercial readiness. Leyland Trucks<\/a> was successful in securing Collaborate funding, which supported their scaling up of electric truck production.<\/p>\n Accelerating scale-up<\/p>\n Accelerating Scale-up\u00a0is the next stage in the funding process,\u00a0and its\u00a0objective\u00a0is to\u00a0provide\u00a0funding opportunities designed to support\u00a0the\u00a0rapid\u00a0scale-up of pioneering\u00a0technologies and\u00a0achieve targeted production volumes at an accelerated pace.<\/p>\n The starting point is\u00a0Feasibility Studies<\/a>, which enables companies to\u00a0validate\u00a0their business and investment case for a manufacturing project at\u00a0pilot, demonstration, or full industrial scale.\u00a0It is\u00a0a chance to test the market, assess the commercial feasibility of technologies and their growth potential before investing heavily in R&D. Announced in April 2026, FluoRok<\/a> are benefiting from the latest round of funding, with a feasibility study for UK-based electrolyte salt manufacturing using FluoRok\u2019s sustainable process.<\/p>\n The APC puts each business through an assessment process to help them understand and quantify the value of their proposition. The purpose is to get them to a point where they can secure a grant from\u00a0the government\u00a0to fund their work via the\u00a0Scale-up Fund.<\/p>\n Once\u00a0validated, companies can step up to the\u00a0Scale-up Fund<\/a>,\u00a0enabling investment into building a manufacturing facility or developing a specific\u00a0process\u00a0development at pilot-scale or demonstration-scale.\u00a0 Altilium Metals<\/a> will be developing demonstration-scale manufacturing of low-carbon recycled battery materials for the UK EV supply chain, as one of the newest companies awarded the funding.<\/p>\n Enabling transformation<\/p>\n The\u00a0Automotive Transformation Fund<\/a> (ATF)\u00a0sits under this funding pillar\u00a0and aims to develop a UK-based zero-emission vehicle value chain and support\u00a0the\u00a0transition to a BEV future.\u00a0Global businesses can secure substantial capital funding from the ATF to support large-scale industrialisation for production and supply chain solutions.\u00a0Large capital projects \u2013 like the \u00a350m invested in the Ford plant<\/a> \u2013 are judged on different criteria.\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 are judged on different criteria.<\/p>\n The competition is for businesses that plan to carry out capital-focused investment projects that support the UK automotive industry. The EOI application enables businesses to assess\u00a0their\u00a0eligibility to progress to the next stage of the funding process. Unlike other funding streams,\u00a0the ATF can be applied for at any time, there is not set opening window.<\/p>\n Supporting a wide range of scopes<\/p>\n Whatever stage\u00a0companies\u00a0are at, there is a funding programme to suit.\u00a0From start-up to concept, innovation to commercialisation, and onward to large-scale transformation, DRIVE35 offers more zero-emission funding opportunities than ever before.\u00a0\u00a0Whether you\u2019re in tech, manufacturing, or a related industry, you may be eligible to receive support for your next automotive project.<\/p>\n DRIVE35 means the future for UK automotive manufacturing and innovation is bright, with funding secured.<\/p>\n To learn more about DRIVE35 or begin your application, visit https:\/\/www.apcuk.co.uk\/funding\/<\/a><\/p>\n For support or queries, speak to a member of the APC UK team: [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Author: Martin Welch, Senior Project Delivery Lead, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC UK).<\/p>\n