Bee Net Zero

New £2 million competition launched to help decarbonise local transport

  • Monday, November 20, 2023
  • Posted By The Growth Company

A new Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrators programme launches on the 27th November 2023.

The £2 million competition will encourage businesses and local authorities to work together to develop transport systems that cut emissions in the long term. Funded by the Department for Transport, any UK business can apply for up to £500,000 to run innovative trials that tackle local transport challenges that their area faces.

Half of this £2 million fund will be reserved for rural areas, supporting them in unlocking the benefits of technology and innovation in order to tackle challenges such as access to jobs. It also aims to help grow local economies by supporting businesses to bring new solutions closer to market.

The competitive grant will be awarded and delivered by Innovative UK – part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – and the UK’s national innovation agency, which helps businesses to develop new technology. It builds on the success of last year’s Transport research innovation grants (TRIG) local decarbonisation call, which funded 20 innovators to develop early-stage solutions to local decarbonisation challenges.

Mike Biddle, Executive Director Net Zero at Innovate UK, said ‘’Taking a place-based approach to decarbonise our transport systems is critical if we are to reach our net zero targets both locally and nationally and prosper from the transition to net zero.’’

‘’Innovate UK is delighted to be working with DfT to invest £2 million in innovation projects aimed at not only reducing emissions but also building key partnerships between local authorities and businesses, which will ensure maximum impact’’


The competition will open on 27 November 2023 and close on 8 January 2024. For more information, click here