Government launches £20m electric vehicle innovation competition

• The initiative encourages submissions of promising electric vehicle (EV) innovations
• The winning ideas will share £20m of funding
• Previous winners include pop-up chargers that rise up out of the pavement for those without off-street parking

The Government has launched a research and development competition for new technology that will support the shift to electric vehicles (EVs). This could include zero-emission emergency vehicles, charging technology or EV battery recycling. Winners will benefit from a share of £20 million in funding.

The Transitioning to Zero Emissions Vehicles initiative encourages submissions of promising EV innovations. Small and large businesses in the UK can apply for a grant if they have a solution for one or more of the following challenges:

• ZEV (zero-emissions vehicle) range capability
• Adoption of small commercial ZEVs
• Transition to zero-emission for special use vehicles
• Sustainability of ZEVs
• Public residential charging in urban areas
• Rural charging
• Fleet charging
• ZEV and charging user experience

Among the previous winners is a zero-emission ambulance prototype for London Ambulance Service. Designed by ULEMCo, the ambulance can reach speeds of 90 mph and travel an average of 200 miles a day with zero emissions. It will arrive on London’s streets later this year.

Another successful bidder was tech start-up Urban Foresight, which was given £3 million to develop pop-up chargers that rise up out of the pavement to provide a discreet, safe and low-cost EV charging solution to those without off-street parking.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “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.”