Catalysing and scaling innovation in the UK freight ecosystem
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case_studies
Catalysing and scaling innovation in the UK freight ecosystem
Explore the impact of the Department for Transport's Freight Innovation Fund accelerator, delivered by Connected Places Catapult.
Freight and logistics are fundamental to the UK economy, but the sector faces persistent structural barriers to adopting new technologies, such as uncertainty about performance, integration and return on investment.
In recognition of the barriers, the UK Government set out a long‑term commitment to transform the freight system through the Future of Freight Plan in 2022. As part of this commitment, £7 million was allocated to the Department for Transport's Freight Innovation Fund to provide targeted support to accelerate innovation adoption in the sector.
About the programme
The Freight Innovation Fund (FIF) Accelerator is delivered by Connected Places Catapult on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT) to support late-stage freight innovations to move closer to commercial adoption.
By combining live trials in operational freight environments with tailored business, investment and market development support, the programme helps SMEs reduce adoption risk, generate credible evidence, and strengthen their route to market.
Success to date:
● 39 SMEs supported across four cohorts (2023 to 2026). 44 live trials delivered to test their solutions in real-world environments.
● The SMEs supported by the programme have raised £102m in private investment.
● Supported SMEs have created 59 new FTE jobs, boosting the freight & logistics sector.
TUAL – leveraging trials to secure investment for scale
TUAL, a participant in Cohort 3 of the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator, developed deployable powerbank technology to support the transition of commercial fleets to electric vehicles.
Through trials with Wincanton and IKEA, TUAL demonstrated two use cases: a portable ‘Rescue Charger’ to extend vehicle range and support fleet operations, and a ‘PowerUp’ charging system providing high‑power charging at grid‑constrained sites. These solutions enabled increased fleet utilisation and reduced reliance on fixed infrastructure and costly upgrades.
Following the trial, TUAL secured £1.5 million in venture capital funding from a consortium of three investors to further develop its technology and expand commercialisation across the UK and Europe. Read more about TUAL here.
Catalysing and scaling innovation in the UK freight ecosystem
File type: pdf
File size: 28.32Mb
