Niche Vehicle Network Production Readiness Competition

We are proud to support the annual Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) Collaborative R&D Production Readiness Projects competition. Jointly funded by us and Innovate UK, this competition run by Niche Vehicle Network with support from Cenex, provides a platform for collaborative research and development into low carbon vehicle technologies within the UK niche vehicle sector.

£500k

projects

Supporting production readiness

This competition provides grants for UK SMEs and their supply chains to take existing low carbon vehicle technologies from demonstration through to production readiness in a compressed timescale, leading to significant economic benefits whilst reducing CO2 emissions. There is match-funding available to support projects to the value of £500,000 through this competition.

The competitions provide funding to SMEs active in the UK niche vehicle, low carbon vehicle technology sector (e.g. niche vehicle manufacturers, design & engineering companies, system suppliers, technology and research organisations etc.) for innovative, collaborative R&D activities. The program, therefore, focuses on technologies applicable to low-volume UK production.

Project Scope

Projects need to demonstrate the accelerated development of
technologies based around one or more of the following areas, directly applicable to on-road or off highway, zero emission UK niche vehicles:

  • Electric machines and power electronics
    Energy storage and energy management systems
  • Fuel cells and associated systems
  • On-board hydrogen storage
  • Lightweight vehicle body, chassis and powertrain structures
  • Aerodynamics for improved energy efficiency
    Other disruptive low carbon vehicle technologies

Funding is restricted to technologies applicable to powered, wheeled road-going zero emission UK niche vehicles. A niche vehicle manufacturer is defined as an independent UK based vehicle manufacturer producing less than 10,000 vehicles per year. Projects must be industry led, aiming to support the growth, productivity and competitiveness of the UK niche vehicle sector. The programme therefore focuses on technologies applicable to low-volume UK production.

Contact us

Get in touch with a member of the team.

General enquiries

[email protected]

Media enquiries

[email protected]

Career opportunities

[email protected]

Advanced Propulsion Centre

IIPSI Building

University Road

Coventry

CV4 7AL