Niche Vehicle Network 2023 Production Readiness Competition

Key Features

The Niche Vehicle Network 2023 Production Readiness Competition provides a platform for collaborative research and development of zero emission vehicle technologies within the UK niche vehicle sector.

Programme:     Niche Vehicle Network

Award:     Share of up to £600,000

Opens: 17th Mar 2023

Closes: 24th Apr 2023

! This scheme is now closed

Overview

The Niche Vehicle Network 2023 Production Readiness Competition provides a platform for collaborative research and development of zero emission vehicle technologies within the UK niche vehicle sector. It is jointly funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and Innovate UK, delivered by the Niche Vehicle Network with support from Cenex.

Scope

The Competition is open to niche vehicle manufacturers, system suppliers and design/engineering or technology organisations active in the UK specialist and low volume manufacturing sector who wish to collaborate on innovative, industry-led projects.

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
  • 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 on-vehicle technologies that enable progression towards net zero
    Power electronics

* Must be able to demonstrate significant vehicle-level benefits to range extension, reduced energy
consumption and/or negating the weight impact of adopting zero emissions propulsion systems

The following vehicle types are in scope:

Powered, wheeled or tracked vehicles used on-road or off-highway, with niche vehicle applicability:

  • E-bikes, e-trikes, e-cargo bikes (including last mile delivery), e-scooters
  • Motorbikes, quadricycles, cars, light commercial vehicles, taxis, last mile delivery vehicles
  • Buses, commercial, municipal, agricultural & construction vehicles
  • Special purpose vehicles (ambulances, fire & rescue etc.)
  • Driverless vehicles and PODs

Eligibility

Applicants should ensure that their application into this competition is based upon an appropriate stage of development or technology readiness which has already been achieved. For Production Readiness the consortium should already have demonstrated the concept at first prototype level & are now aiming to take it towards a production-intent level, including demonstration on a zero emission UK niche vehicle.

Funding is restricted to technologies applicable to powered, wheeled or tracked zero emission UK niche vehicles used on-road or off-highway. 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.

Projects must be collaborative and industry-led by an SME. The consortium must include a niche vehicle manufacturer, tier 1 supplier or vehicle fleet operator. The competition is aimed primarily at SMEs, but it is permissible to include one large company or other large organisation (such as a university or RTO) in each consortium. Two large companies may only participate where one is a niche vehicle manufacturer, tier 1 supplier or vehicle fleet operator, and the other is an RTO, University or University Group Company.

The maximum number of partners in each consortium is 4, the minimum is 3 (including the lead partner).

Consortia must be able to show that they have a feasible, viable and demonstrable route to market for the developed vehicle or product.

In collaborative R&D projects, the leadership role is crucial in achieving a successful outcome and subsequent exploitation. The lead partner chooses the other project partners – partners are defined as organisations that together form a consortium to work on a specific project within the NVN Programme.

Consideration should be given to what capabilities are required to deliver the project and potential routes to market for the technologies developed or applied within the project.

Lead Partner

  • The lead partner must be a UK SME or Micro company active in the UK niche sector
  • The lead partner is responsible for preparing and submitting the bid
  • The lead partner chooses the other project partners and forms the consortium
  • The lead partner is responsible for delivering the Collaboration Agreement (see below)
  • The lead partner is responsible for managing the project
  • The lead partner is responsible for communication with NVN throughout the project life
  • Organisations cannot lead more than one submitted bid, or participate as a partner in any additional bids within this competition
  • Large companies, Universities, RTOs or University Group Companies cannot be the lead

Other Consortium Partners

  • Partners can only participate in one project in each of the NVN competition streams
  • Only one non-SME (large organisation) can be included as a project partner in each bid – unless the consortium wishes to include a niche vehicle manufacturer, tier 1 supplier or vehicle fleet operator, as well as RTO, University or University Group Company

For further competition information, see here

Exclusions

The following technologies are out of scope and ineligible for funding in this competition:

  • Development of AI systems, autonomous systems & associated software
  • Conversions of internal combustion engines (ICE) to run on gaseous / alternative / zero carbon / synthetic ‘e’ fuels
  • Activities related to any conventional engine R&D work – including range extenders
  • Hybridization technologies

The following vehicle types are out of scope:

  • Dedicated motorsport and race vehicles
  • Marine, rail, aerospace and drones
  • Fuels & lubricants
  • Off-board vehicle charging solutions, including Vehicle to grid

Funding Costs

Maximum total project cost – £600,000
Maximum total project grant – £300,000
Minimum total project cost – £300,000

Interested in applying for this competition?

Book an appointment to speak to one of our advisors to discuss your eligibility to apply for this Grant Funding opportunity.