Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can receive part of a £1.8 million pot of government funding to support decarbonising the freight industry, the government announced today.
UK government roads minister Guy Opperman today launched the third year of its £7 million Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator. The fund is aimed at delivering innovative tech across the industry to decarbonise freight and boost UK supply chains.
SMEs can be awarded the funding to support the sector in deploying AI technology and automation to improve the way trains, lorries, vans, and ships carry parcels and goods.
The first two years of the fund saw nearly £3 million shared between several SMEs which worked with industry-leading companies to make British supply chains cleaner and more efficient, while improving how cargo is carried across rail, maritime and road transport.
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The Freight Innovation Fund has previously supported FedEx in trialling new eCargo bikes to deliver parcels quickly in traffic-heavy city centres, helping decarbonise deliveries.
Opperman said: “The freight and logistics sectors are part of our economy’s backbone, ensuring supermarket shelves are stocked, hospitals receive crucial medical supplies and important deliveries are made.
“That’s why, as part of the government’s plan to grow the economy, the Freight Innovation Fund is supporting businesses to innovate and back skilled UK jobs.”
Earlier this month, the government kicked off a bidding process for £1.5m worth of funding to establish zero-emission shipping routes to and from the UK.
