Production Readiness Competition

Key Features

The Niche Vehicle Network 2022 Production Readiness Competition provides a platform for collaborative
research and development in the area of low carbon vehicle technologies within the UK niche vehicle
sector

Programme:     Niche Vehicle Network

Award:     Share of up to £250,000

Opens: 17th May 2022

Closes: 20th Jun 2022

! This scheme is now closed

Overview

The Niche Vehicle Network 2022 Production Readiness Competition provides a platform for collaborative research and development in the area of low carbon 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 and 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 low carbon vehicle technologies

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

  • Development of AI systems, autonomous systems & associated software
  • Hybrids
  • Conversions of internal combustion engines (ICE) to run on alternative or synthetic ‘e’ fuels
  • Activities related to any conventional engine R&D work – including range extenders
  • Fuels & lubricants
  • Off-board vehicle charging solutions, including Vehicle to grid

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 (and can evidence) the concept at first mule or prototype level and 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 road-going zero emission UK niche vehicles. 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 show that they have a feasible, viable and demonstrable route to market for the developed
vehicle or product.

The following vehicle types are in scope:

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

  • Motorbikes, quadricycles, cars, light commercial vehicles, taxis, last mile delivery vehicles
  • Buses, commercial, municipal, agricultural & construction vehicles
  • Special purpose vehicles (ambulances, fire & rescue etc)

The following vehicle types are out of scope:

  • Dedicated motorsport and race vehicles
  • Marine, rail, aerospace and drones

Project Consortia

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 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

Collaboration Agreement

The Lead Partner is responsible for ensuring that the collaboration is subject to a legal agreement between all the project partners.

Subcontractors must be legally excluded from sharing the project IPR.

Funding Costs

  • Maximum total project grant – £250,000 70% of eligible project costs must be incurred in FY22/23, with the remaining 30% in FY23/24.
  • Maximum total project cost – £500,000
  • Minimum total project cost – £300,000
  • Maximum grant intervention rate (overall) – 50%
  • Maximum grant intervention rate (partner) – 50% (all applicant types)
  • Max. lead partner (SME) share of project – 50%
  • Max. large company share of project – 30% (1 large partner) 50% (2 large partners, where 1 is a Niche OEM)
  • Minimum partner share of project – 10%
  • Total number of partners (including lead) – 3 or 4

 

 

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.