Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator opens for applications

The latest round of the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator is now open for applications.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can receive up to £1.8 million in government funding to make freight cleaner, more sustainable and more efficient.

The first two years of the fund saw nearly £3 million allocated to several SMEs which worked with industry to make British supply chains cleaner and more efficient, while improving how freight is carried across rail, maritime and road transport.

Examples of 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.

Roads Minister Guy 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."

Delivered by Connected Places Catapult, the Freight Innovation Fund will also give SMEs access to technical and business support from the organisation.