DRIVE35: A Deep Dive into Funding for Clean Transport Innovation

What is DRIVE35?

DRIVE35 is a UK government-backed funding programme supporting organisations working on technologies that advance clean, zero-emission transport and smart mobility systems. It offers targeted grants through three funding streams to help innovators at different maturity levels move their projects forward, from idea validation to demonstration and cross-sector collaboration.

DRIVE35 is part of the UK’s wider mission to lead in clean mobility, supply chain resilience, and sustainable infrastructure.

Key Benefits

• Stage-Specific Support: Choose from three funding streams based on your innovation’s maturity
• Scalable Funding: Backing for feasibility studies, prototype demonstrations, and collaborative R&D
• Net Zero Alignment: Tailored to projects that align with the UK’s climate and transport decarbonisation goals
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Encourages partnerships between SMEs, research institutions, and industry leaders
• Commercial Impact: Projects are expected to show real-world impact, market potential, and scalability

DRIVE35 doesn’t just offer funding, it enables innovators to connect with public and private sector stakeholders, validate their solutions, and build a path to commercial success.

DRIVE35 Funding Streams

1. Scale-up: Feasibility Studies

Ideal for early-stage projects exploring technical and commercial viability.

• Funding Type: Feasibility study
• Eligibility: UK-registered businesses (including SMEs)
• Focus Areas: Zero-emission vehicles, charging infrastructure, digital mobility tools
• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 2–4
• Duration: Typically up to 12 months
• Application Deadline: 4 September 2025 at 11:00 am (UK time)

Perfect for businesses looking to de-risk ideas and prepare for larger investments.

2. Innovation Fund: Demonstrate

For innovators ready to prove their prototype in a real-world or controlled environment.

• Funding Type: Prototype demonstration
• Eligibility: SMEs, academia, and larger organisations
• Focus Areas: Hydrogen fuel systems, battery tech, integrated energy systems
• TRL: 5–7
• Duration: Typically up to 24 months
• Application Deadline: 4 September 2025 at 11:00 am (UK time)

A strong fit for scaling tech with high commercial and environmental potential.

3. Innovation Fund: Collaborate

Supports larger-scale, cross-sector R&D projects led by a UK business.

• Funding Type: Collaborative R&D
• Eligibility: Minimum of two organisations, with at least one SME
• Focus Areas: Supply chains, automation, smart logistics, system-level innovation
• TRL: 4–7
• Duration: Up to 36 months
• Application Deadline: 4 September 2025 at 11:00 am (UK time)

Ideal for building consortia and tackling systemic challenges with large-scale solutions.