On June 17, the Government of the UK, Department for Business and Trade, announced that the UK-India Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on July 15, 2026, making it the fastest implementation of any trade deal. The agreement is projected to boost UK GDP by GBP 4.8 billion, real wages by GBP 2.2 billion, and bi

On June 17, the UK Government published its analysis of responses to last year’s call for evidence on the statement of safety principles (SoSP). The call for evidence sought views on how the SoSP could be used, described, and measured. Consistent with the AV Act 2024 and international United Nations Economic Commissi

On June 5, the Hampshire County Council, UK announced plans to introduce 17,000 electric vehicle charge points. Following a competitive procurement process, the County Council has awarded a 15-year concession contract to charge point operator Believ.
This is part of a government-funded Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

On May 22, the UK Government opened applications for operators to join the self-driving vehicles pilot scheme using taxis, buses, and private hire-style vehicles. The pilot scheme will enable firms, including British self-driving technology company Wayve, to bring cutting-edge technology to British roads, creating th

On May 12, Wayve signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department for Business & Trade of UK Government to deepen collaboration on next generation self driving technologies.  The partnership aims to act as a catalyst for new investment, skilled jobs and long term growth across the UK automotive ecosyste

On April 23, the UK Government announced the automated passenger services (APS) permitting scheme consultation and laid the Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026. The government will introduce a legal and regulatory framework needed to allow these services to operate commercia

On April 21, Volklec announced that it has secured new government backing. The combined public and private investment will support the rapid expansion of Volklec’s UK operations, scaling from an initial 1GWh capacity to a 10GWh gigafactory. Following new backing through DRIVE35, Volklec will ramp up two critical prog

On April 16, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) called on the EU to amend its proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) to keep the UK automotive sector as a trusted partner that ‘makes in Europe’. The EU-UK automotive partnership is valued at EUR 80 billion annually. The call comes as the UK trade

On April 9, the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK announced that five late-stage, collaborative R&D projects will share over GBP 84 million of total investment to accelerate their journey to commercialisation. This includes over GBP 42 million in grant support from the Department for Business and Trade’s DRIVE35 program.

On April 9, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the UK visited the Somerset site of the upcoming battery gigafactory of Agratas. He announced significant UK Government investment in the advanced manufacturing sector.
Agratas has secured GBP 380 million in funding, supporting the construction of the Somer

On March 25, the Scottish Government confirmed GBP 17.8 million of funding for a package of incentive schemes in 2026-27 to support the continued uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of EV charging infrastructure. All schemes will be delivered by Energy Saving Trust and will operate in tandem with exis

On March 30, char.gy received a major contract from the Isle of Wight Council to deliver a large-scale expansion of public EV charging infrastructure. As part of the Government-backed Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) program, char.gy will design, install, and maintain a network of over 1,500 public EV cha

On March 26, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT) stated that since February 28, diesel prices have been increasing, which poses serious challenges in the commercial vehicle space.
The current conflict exposes the fragility of fuel supply. Long-term stability depends on reducing reliance on g

On March 25, the Scottish Government announced that it has awarded GBP 45 million through the third Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB3). This investment will bring over 330 zero-emission vehicles to Scotland’s operators, alongside the installation of charging infrastructure.
Additionally, the Scottis

On March 25, the Government of the UK announced a GBP 1 billion boost for British businesses to roll out clean trucks and vans and install new EV chargers at depots. The Zero Emissions Truck and Van grants and the Depot Charging Scheme aim to help businesses make the switch to electric vans and trucks.
The truck gran

On March 4, the Korea Autonomous Driving Development Innovation Foundation (KADIF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)  with Zenzic, a UK Government-backed automated driving innovation organisation, for cooperation in automated driving technology.
Both parties will share knowledge and regulatory information re

On March 6, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT) raised concern over the “Made in Europe” proposals in the European Commission’s Industrial Accelerator Act. SMMT said that it would discriminate against UK-made vehicles and components, damaging a trading relationship worth almost GBP 70 billio

On February 25, the Government of the UK announced 40% increase in chargepoint grant amounts. Renters, landlords, and businesses will be able to claim up to half the cost of installing an electric charger, saving them up to GBP 500.
The uplift will cover almost half the cost of a typical charge point installation un

On February 5, Kent County Council (KCC), UK announced the rollout of a major government-funded Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Programme across Kent, to meet the rising demand for EV charging in the county.
The project has secured more than GBP 12 million from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Local Electric

On January 27, Ionic Rare Earths Limited (IonicRE) wholly owned subsidiary Ionic Technologies received GBP 12 million capital grant from the UK Government’s DRIVE35 program to support its planned magnet recycling plant in Belfast, UK, with a capacity of 400 tonnes per year.
DRIVE35 supports the industrialisation of