The UK automotive sector is set to gain fresh momentum in its transition to zero-emission mobility with the launch of the UK Council for Automotive Academic Research (UKCAAR), a new national collaboration platform designed to unite academia, industry, and government.
Unveiled by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the initiative aims to harness the UK’s world-leading academic expertise to identify strategic research priorities and anticipate disruptive technologies that will shape the future of sustainable transport. UKCAAR will strengthen links between universities, manufacturers, and policymakers, coordinating research efforts that support the country’s net-zero ambitions and providing foresight on technological trends and innovation opportunities within zero-emission mobility.
To mark its launch, UKCAAR has announced its first Feasibility Sprint — a competitive funding programme aimed at supporting bold, early-stage research projects in sustainable mobility. Funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and delivered by the APC, the scheme encourages collaborative proposals between universities and industry partners. Each project must demonstrate the potential to advance the UK’s zero-emission goals while fostering meaningful partnerships between academia and business. Aligned with the government’s DRIVE35 strategy, Feasibility Sprint projects will focus on three key areas: zero-emission vehicle technologies, manufacturing competitiveness, and future vehicle innovation.
A total of £330,000 is available through this initial round, with grants ranging from £30,000 to £90,000 per project. Each proposal must include at least 50% in-kind match funding from an industry partner and be led by a UK university. Applications opened on 20 October 2025 and close on 21 November 2025, with successful projects expected to begin on 1 January 2026 and conclude by 31 July 2026.
Steve Sapsford, UKCAAR Lead at the APC, said the initiative represents a unique opportunity to accelerate collaboration across the UK’s innovation ecosystem. “We invite UK-based academic institutions to lead project proposals, together with UK or international industry collaborators, where they are connected to UK benefits,” he said. “This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of UK mobility, receive support from the APC and DBT, and contribute to the development of cutting-edge zero-emission technologies.”
By bringing together the UK’s leading research talent with industrial expertise, UKCAAR aims to help position the country at the forefront of the global shift towards cleaner, smarter, and more competitive mobility solutions.
For more articles like this, visit our Innovation channel
