More people and businesses across the UK will benefit from smarter, more efficient and more sustainable deliveries thanks to a £1.8 million government funding boost.
Today (1 May 2024), Roads Minister Guy Opperman is launching the third year of the £7 million Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator, delivered by Connected Places Catapult, to support innovative tech across the industry to decarbonise freight and boost the UK supply chain as part of the government’s plan to grow the economy.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can receive up to £1.8 million in government funding to support the freight sector in deploying cutting-edge AI technology and automation to improve the way trains, lorries, vans, and ships carry parcels and goods.
The first 2 years of the fund saw nearly £3 million allocated to several SMEs which worked with industry-leading companies to make British supply chains cleaner and more efficient, while improving how freight is carried across rail, maritime and road transport.
Examples of ground-breaking ideas that have become reality thanks to support from the Freight Innovation Fund include Royal Mail working with Skyports to deliver mail by drones across the islands in Orkney. This is the first time ever mail is being delivered by drones in the UK, allowing Royal Mail to deliver 24 hours faster than using vans or ferries.
The Freight Innovation Fund has also supported FedEx in trialling new eCargo bikes to deliver parcels quickly in traffic-heavy city centres, helping decarbonise deliveries.
Previous funding winners have reported a collective £97 million in commercial investment from the £1.2 million government Year 1 fund, decarbonising supply chains and supporting jobs.
