DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund
The DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund by UK Research and Innovation supports scaling up UK manufacturing for innovative zero emission vehicle technologies to accelerate clean automotive sector growth.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 17, 2025 (opens) | April 28, 2026, 2:00pm UK time (closes)
Funding Amounts: Up to £150 million total fund; individual projects can request between £2.5 million and £20 million in grant funding, with total eligible costs over £5 million; project duration 12–46 months.
Summary: Supports UK-based scale-up of manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle technologies, enabling commercialisation and growth in the automotive sector.
Key Information: Requires at least 2x private co-investment of the grant request; lead must be a UK registered business.
Description
This opportunity funds the creation and expansion of large-scale manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle (ZEV) technologies in the UK. The programme is delivered by Innovate UK in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK. The fund targets pilot and demonstration scale projects that enable businesses to validate manufacturing capability and commercial viability, accelerating the automotive sector’s transition to cleaner technologies. Substantial private investment must accompany government funding to ensure sustainable impact and business growth.
