Government launches £20m funding for zero-emission vehicle innovation

The government has today announced that it is launching £20m of funding for research around zero-emission vehicles.

The government is launching a research and development scheme, aiming to highlight and fund electric vehicle technology innovations across the country.

This could include zero emission emergency vehicles, charging technology or EV battery recycling.

This comes as the government “cements” its commitment to phasing out the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans, aiming for all new vehicles of this type to be zero-emission by 2035.

Grant Shapps, transport secretary, commented: “Investing in innovation is crucial in decarbonising transport, which is why I’m delighted to see creative zero-emission projects across the UK come to life.

“The funding announced today will help harness some of the brightest talent in the UK tech industry, encouraging businesses to become global leaders in EV innovation, creating jobs and accelerating us towards our net-zero ambitions.”

Simon Edmonds, deputy executive chair and chief business officer at Innovate UK, said: “Innovations to increase the uptake of zero-emission vehicles will make our air cleaner while supporting innovative UK businesses.

“Innovate UK has played a crucial role in helping businesses bring their innovations towards reality and we urge those innovators with bright ideas to apply for this vital funding.”