Toyota leads a £30 million UK government-funded electric vehicle R&D project, featuring solar roofs and smart connectivity, to accelerate zero-emission mobility and support advanced manufacturing jobs
The UK government is investing £30 million in a collaborative electric vehicle R&D initiative, led by Toyota and supported by partners including the University of Derby and Elm Mobility Limited. This project aims to develop a zero-emission vehicle incorporating innovations such as an integrated solar roof and advanced connectivity. Backed by £15 million in government funding, the initiative aligns with the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, focusing on enhancing electric mobility technology and fostering high-quality jobs in the advanced manufacturing sector.
Supporting the automotive industry
The R&D project will explore the feasibility of developing electric micro-mobility vehicles in the UK, aiming to support high-quality automotive engineering jobs and expand knowledge and skills within the manufacturing sector.
The multi-million-pound funding package has been awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) Collaborative Research and Development programme, with the aim of unlocking further private investment and supporting the government’s ambitions to build an end-to-end supply chain for zero-emissions vehicles in the UK.
Industry Minister Chris McDonald said: “This shows the power of our partnership with industry, driving innovation and helping investors build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK as we deliver on our Plan for Change.
Economic growth is our number one priority, and by funding our world-leading auto sector, our modern Industrial Strategy is creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, supporting jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK.”
Dariusz Mikolajczak, Managing Director of TMUK, said: “We are delighted to receive support from the Advanced Propulsion Centre for this important feasibility study. This funding enables us to advance our understanding of the feasibility of developing a cutting-edge battery electric vehicle that meets the growing demand for sustainable urban mobility. The project acknowledges TMUK’s overall project excellence and will further strengthen the capabilities of our members.”
Rik Adams, Innovation Delivery Director, The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC): “APC is very proud to be able to support Toyota with this Electric Vehicle (EV) urban mobility project, which embodies much of what DRIVE35 aims to support – innovation, UK competitiveness, productivity, and zero emission vehicles. As an integral part of the UK automotive industry, we are delighted that Toyota is partnering with some of our innovative SME businesses, such as ELM, and our world-class academics from the University of Derby to deliver a cutting-edge vehicle concept designed, developed, and tested in the UK.”
Bringing zero-emission vehicle manufacturing to the UK
In early 2025, the government announced the launch of DRIVE35 to support the shift to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. This offers £2.5 billion in capital and R&D funding to the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan by 2035. The programme supports a wide range of initiatives, from large-scale gigafactories to start-ups and prototypes for strategic vehicle technologies, to boost innovation, attract investment, and strengthen the UK’s automotive supply chain.
Since its establishment in 2013, the APC R&D program has supported 354 low-carbon and zero-emission projects involving 614 partners. This funding has benefitted companies of all sizes and is estimated to have created or safeguarded over 59,000 jobs in the UK. The technologies and products developed through this program are projected to save more than 425 million tonnes of CO2.
