DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund
Award: Share of up to £150 million
Programme: Innovate UK (DBT / Advanced Propulsion Centre)
Closes: 17 September 2026
Overview
DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) is a DBT-led programme to scale UK manufacturing for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) technologies. Innovate UK, DBT and the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) will invest up to £150m (subject to sufficient quality) to support pilot or demonstration-scale manufacturing facilities and processes, unlocking substantial private co-investment and accelerating market entry across ZEVs, batteries and supply chains. Projects must justify government intervention and align with the Industrial Strategy, Automotive Council Roadmaps and strategic ZEV priorities.
Scope
Projects must develop and validate manufacturing capability at pilot/demonstration scale to support UK automotive supply-chain growth, transition and resilience. Within on-vehicle applications, eligible areas include:
- Electrical energy storage (batteries, supercapacitors, components, BMS, integrated systems)
- Electric machines & driveline
- Power electronics (incl. V2X)
- ICE for off-road applications only (transition to zero-emissions using non-fossil fuels)
- Light-weighting materials/processes
- Fuel cells & balance of plant
- Hydrogen storage/management
- ZEV assembly
Permitted activities span facility planning/engineering, construction, equipment procurement/installation/commissioning, process development, QA/QC, APQP to production launch, enabling technologies (digital twins, AI/IoT), decarbonised/lean manufacturing, staff training, UK supply-chain development, test/validation, and limited dissemination/market engagement.
Eligibility
- Duration: 12–46 months (includes period to raise match funding)
- Start: from 1 June 2026; End by 31 March 2030
- Work carried out in the UK (minor overseas elements require strong justification)
- Intend to exploit results in/from the UK
- Lead: UK-registered business (RTOs/academia cannot lead or work alone)
- Collaboration: lead + ≥1 UK partner applying for funding; all partners enter costs in IFS
- Non-UK partners allowed if self-funded (costs count toward totals)
- Subcontractors allowed (overseas only with justification and UK options considered)
- A business may lead or collaborate on any number of applications
- Must comply with sanctions and animal welfare requirements
Award & Project Duration
- Award: Share of £150m.
- Project: 12–46 months within Jun 2026 → Mar 2030.
Key Dates
- Closes 17 September 2026
