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UK government has confirmed more than £47 million in 33 automotive projects aimed at accelerating the development and commercialisation of next-generation vehicle technologies.

This funding, made through the £4 billion DRIVE35 programme, is designed to support the UK’s transition towards zero emission vehicles while strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains.

For fleet operators, it could help accelerate the development of technologies that will influence the next generation of electric vans, including improvements in batteries, electrification, advanced manufacturing, digitalisation and zero emission mobility.

The latest allocation will support projects with a combined value of more than £90 million, with Government funding being matched by significant private-sector investment.

DRIVE35 is delivered by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Innovate UK.

It forms part of the Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan and Industrial Strategy.

The funding has been split across four areas of the DRIVE35 programme.

Sixteen early-stage businesses, including start-ups, university spinouts and SMEs, will receive more than £2.7 million through the Mobilise programme, which is intended to support breakthrough automotive technologies.

A further two collaborative research and development projects will receive more than £8 million through Collaborate, while 10 projects focused on demonstrating technologies in real-world conditions will receive £9 million through Demonstrate.

The largest allocation is through the Scale-up Fund, with five projects receiving £26.9 million to help move technologies from development into manufacturing at scale.

Industry Minister Blair McDougall said: “Britain invented the modern motor industry and we’re determined to ensure the next generation of vehicles are designed and built here too.”