Advanced Propulsion Centre UK

The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC UK) is a pivotal non-profit organization established as a joint venture between the UK government and the automotive industry. Based in Coventry, its core mission is to accelerate the development, industrialization, and commercialization of low-carbon propulsion technologies within the United Kingdom. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, APC UK operates primarily as a grant-funding body, strategically deploying government funds to foster innovation and secure the future of the UK's automotive sector in the transition to net-zero.

APC UK manages various funding competitions and programs, notably the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Collaborative R&D competitions and the larger-scale Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF). These initiatives are designed to support a wide spectrum of projects, from early-stage research and development to the establishment of gigafactories and other significant manufacturing capabilities for electric vehicle components. Funding is typically awarded to collaborative projects involving businesses, academia, and research organizations, with a strong emphasis on delivering tangible economic and environmental benefits for the UK.

Since its inception in 2013, APC UK has demonstrated substantial impact on the UK's automotive landscape. It has committed over £1.4 billion (approximately $1.75 billion USD) in grant funding across 225 projects, engaging 440 distinct organizations in the pursuit of sustainable mobility solutions. These investments are projected to create or safeguard approximately 59,000 jobs within the UK, underscoring the Centre's role not just in technological advancement but also in economic growth and resilience.

The typical "check size" or grant amount provided by APC UK varies significantly depending on the nature and scale of the project. While smaller feasibility studies might receive grants of up to £100,000 (approximately $125,000 USD), the bulk of their funding is directed towards large-scale collaborative R&D projects, where grants commonly range from £2.5 million to £20 million. For strategic, large-scale industrialization projects under the Automotive Transformation Fund, grants can extend significantly higher, potentially reaching up to £100 million (approximately $125 million USD) for critical infrastructure developments. This broad range reflects APC UK's comprehensive approach to supporting the entire innovation lifecycle, from concept to mass production, for the next generation of clean automotive technologies.