UK Announces £130 Million Investment in Zero-Emission Vehicle Tech

The British government announced a £130 million investment in the automotive sector on Monday, August 10, 2026, aimed at accelerating the development and production of zero-emission vehicles and safeguarding skilled jobs. The funding, split equally between public money and industry contributions, is part of the government's DRIVE35 programme, described as the largest postwar investment in the UK's car industry.

The investment will support over 1,800 jobs directly and thousands more in the supply chain. Nearly £50 million in government funding has been awarded to automotive firms and research partners to help them build and produce electric vehicle technologies at scale. An additional £17 million will fund nine connected and automated mobility projects, including autonomous driving systems and AI simulation. The funding is facilitated by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK in partnership with Innovate UK.

Key beneficiaries include major manufacturers such as Bentley, Nissan, and electric motor firm Yasa, alongside smaller companies and startups. Specific projects include a consortium led by Bentley and battery...