Local transport decarbonisation fund supports place-based approaches

Innovate UK has launched the Department for Transport (DfT) funded Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrators programme, a £2 million competition to help decarbonise local transport.

Under the scheme, UK businesses in collaboration with local authorities can apply for up to £500,000 to run trials that consider a place-based approach to reducing transport emissions.

Half of the £2 million fund will be reserved for rural areas, supporting them in unlocking the benefits of technology and innovation to tackle transport emissions and meet the needs and attributes of these unique areas.

The competitive grants will be awarded and delivered by the national innovation agency Innovate UK which helps businesses to grow and develop new technologies. The competition will open on 27 November 2023 and close on 8 January 2024.

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.