DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund
Department for Business and Trade (DBT) · United Kingdom
Grant funding to support large-scale projects that enable the commercial scale-up of innovative zero emission vehicle technologies and manufacturing capabilities within the UK automotive supply chain. Projects must focus on scaling production capability, manufacturing processes or industrial development that supports the transition to zero emission vehicles.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding to support large-scale projects that enable the commercial scale-up of innovative zero emission vehicle technologies and manufacturing capabilities within the UK automotive supply chain. Projects must focus on scaling production capability, manufacturing processes or industrial development that supports the transition to zero emission vehicles.
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Automotive manufacturing, electric vehicle technologies, batteries, power electronics, propulsion systems and related supply chain technologies.
Match funding
Projects must secure private investment and match funding to cover the remaining project costs. Applicants must demonstrate substantial private co-investment of at least twice the grant request.
Eligible applicants
UK registered businesses of any size involved in the automotive supply chain, including manufacturers, technology developers and other organisations capable of scaling automotive innovation projects.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£2,500,000 to £20,000,000 total eligible grant funding request per project
Total fund available
Up to £150,000,000
Funding intensity
Projects must not request more than 50% of total project costs as grant funding for SMEs or 30% for large organisations.
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects must develop and validate manufacturing processes, facilities or technologies that support large-scale production of zero emission vehicle technologies and strengthen the UK automotive supply chain.
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs relating to development, validation, manufacturing capability, equipment, facilities and innovation activities necessary to scale production technologies.
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS)
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
Decisions are made after assessment and interview stages following each submission window.
Assessment process
Applications are assessed by independent technical assessors and government economists, followed by interviews and final appraisal before funding decisions are made.
Application sections
- Project details, application questions and financial information.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not meet scope requirements, fail value-for-money assessment, lack sufficient private investment or do not demonstrate strong manufacturing scale-up potential.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
17 Sept 2025
Project duration
12 to 46 months, including an initial period for raising match funding
Project start
1 Jun 2026
Project end
31 Mar 2030
Co-funders
- Delivered in partnership by Innovate UK and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative projects are permitted where partners contribute technical expertise, manufacturing capability or supply chain capacity.
Consortium requirements
- Projects may include multiple consortium partners including businesses, research organisations and other organisations contributing to the automotive supply chain.
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-10.
International Collaboration Requirement
International organisations may participate as non-funded partners or subcontractors where justified.
Research Category
Industrial research and experimental development focused on manufacturing scale-up and commercialisation.
Research Organisation Funding
Research organisations may participate where they support industrial partners and contribute to project delivery. Non-economic research organisations can share up to 10% of total eligible project costs.
Subcontractors
Subcontractors are permitted and must be selected through appropriate procurement processes. Overseas subcontractors require justification.
Interview Stage
Yes. Applicants invited to interview must present the project and respond to questions from assessors and government economists.
Key Requirements
Projects must demonstrate commercial scale-up potential, strong market validation, contribution to the UK automotive supply chain and alignment with the transition to zero emission vehicles. Projects must support manufacturing capability at pilot or demonstration scale and demonstrate a clear route to market.
Important Notes
Applicants must secure match funding within a defined period after receiving a grant offer before the project can begin. The programme uses a portfolio approach when selecting projects for funding.
Application deadline in source document
No fixed deadline. Applications are submitted through scheduled submission windows.
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- £2,500,000 to £20,000,000 total eligible grant funding request per project
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Automotive manufacturing, electric vehicle technologies, batteries, power electronics, propulsion systems and related supply chain technologies.
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 17 Sept 2025