Context: DRIVE35 is a £2.5 billion UK government programme running to 2035 focused on vehicle electrification R&D and scaling UK automotive competitiveness.

Key themes include:

• Updates on the DRIVE35 funding pillars (Innovation, Scale-Up, etc.) and technology roadmaps for the key enabling technologies for future mobility, including; batteries, power electronics, hydrogen, software-defined vehicles, semiconductors and connected automated mobility.

• Innovation support available including from the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, Innovate UK and the Catapults, Horizon Europe, as well as regional funding initiatives.   

• Case studies of funded projects

• How DRIVE35 links to national goals for clean growth & jobs.

Context: For light duty vehicles, the motor industry has committed to battery electric vehicles as the technology of choice to meet Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) policy objectives.  For the decarbonisation of medium and heavy duty vehicles there is no established consensus as to the pathway of choice with a range of powertrain technology options in play, including; batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and Internal Combustion Engines burning low carbon hydrogen, bio-fuels or E-fuels.

Key themes include:

• Battery technology innovation (solid-state, fast-charging chemistries, safety & recycling).

• Power electronics, machines and drives,

• Alternative zero-emission powertrains: hydrogen fuel cells, e-axles, and non-fossil ICE for niche applications.

• Supply chain scaling challenges (gigafactories, critical mineral supply).

• Vehicle lightweighting

Context: Semiconductors are a strategic pillar for the future of automotive innovation and a key enabling technology for all forms of future mobility, not least the modern car, which is “an intelligent computing platform on wheels.”

Key themes include:

• The future of Automotive Semiconductors

• Power electronics for EVs from Silicon Carbide to Gallium Nitride, improving efficiency and reducing cost

• Chips for Autonomous and Connected Vehicles

• Advanced packaging and testing for Automotive-Grade Chips

• Building a resilient semiconductor supply chain

Context: The policy frameworks that are helping drive the transition to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) are adapting from incentivisation to accepting ZEVs as the mainstream vehicles. 

Key themes include:

• International policies driving decarbonisation and ZEV adoption including ZEV mandates, ICE phase out regulations, incentives, and taxation

• Post-2030 automotive regulatory outlook

Context: Market transformation to Zero Emission Vehicles depends on the availability of charging and refuelling infrastructure and associated energy distribution and supply, including grid readiness and managing grid constraints. 

Key themes include:

• Progress with the roll out of EV charge points

• Grid impact and smart charging strategies

• Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) power systems.

• Renewable energy integration for transport electrification

• Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure

• Scope or E-fuels and bio-fuels in road transport decarbonisation

Context:  Automotive competitiveness depends on evolving manufacturing for cost, sustainability, and flexibility.

The “Factory of the Future” will be based on advanced manufacturing technologies including robotics, 3D printing and joining.

Key themes include:

• Digital transformation in factories through AI, robotics and flexible production lines.

• Lean and low-carbon manufacturing processes.

• Cyber security for manufacturing.

• Supply chain resilience and reshoring.

Context: Adopting Circular Economy principles is key to the future of mobility, helping to drive lower lifecycle emissions and improve resource efficiency.

Key themes include:

• Powertrain component reuse and recycling

• Design for disassembly, remanufacture and material recovery

• Sustainable materials and lightweighting (bio-composites, recycled metals).

Context: The transition from Automated Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) adoption to first commercial deployments of No User In Charge (NUiC)\level 4 automated vehicles is underway.  The supporting policy and regulatory framework is being put in place with collaboration key to support market development.

Key themes include:

• The policy and regulatory context for CAM in the UK and globally, including progress with Calls for Evidence and safety frameworks for No User in Charge (NUiC)\level 4 operation.

• Regulatory developments for type approval of Connected Automated Vehicles

• Commercialisation pathways for automated services for logistics and passenger transport

• Real-world deployments and testing zones.

Context:   The development and deployment of connected automated vehicles relies on advances across a range of enabling technologies and engineering processes. These include AI-based perception and decision-making, high-fidelity simulation and virtual testing, connectivity and V2X communications, and robust approaches to safety assurance and validation.

Key themes include:

• AI & Machine Learning for Autonomous Driving

• Connectivity, V2X and Digital Infrastructure

• Safety Assurance and Validation; including Scenario-based testing and simulation for AV validation

• Human Factors and Interaction with Automated Vehicles; from safety drivers to remote operators

Context: Modern vehicles are increasingly driven by software with developments focused on secure architectures and data platforms.

Key themes include:

• Shift to software-centric architectures and domain controllers.

• Connectivity stacks and over-the-air (OTA) updates

• Functional safety and cybersecurity, making it safe to connect and drive

• Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy and Smart Cockpits

• Integration, test and validation for SDVs

• Electrification and SDV convergence

• Industry collaboration via partnerships, open platforms and standardisation

Context: The Future of Mobility includes new forms of mobility and new business models. 

Key themes include:

• Micromobility & urban last-mile solutions (e-bikes, scooters, L6e vehicles)

• Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), shared fleets & subscription models

• Logistics innovation and autonomous freight