Today, the Niche Vehicle Network announced that, after 15 years of successfully supporting the automotive low-volume vehicle sector through Cenex (The Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon Vehicle Technologies), it will transition to being operated via APC with effect from 1 July 2025.
The transitioning of the NVN to APC will provide a springboard for automotive SME’s, many of whom are leading the way in the creation of sustainable cutting-edge technologies. The transition will be a simplification of the support ecosystem for SME’s and low volume manufacturers in the automotive sector. NVN will continue to provide support for SME’s, building on the existing relationship with the APC that has supported a number of exciting technology projects over the past 8 years.
The journey to zero emission vehicles spans the whole automotive sector, and SME’s play a crucial role in delivering cutting-edge, highly innovative technologies and products that will help support the UK to reach its climate targets.
Robert Evans, CEO, Cenex:
It has been a privilege for Cenex to support the Niche Vehicle Network over a 15- year period. Through the NVN R&D competitions, Cenex has helped channel innovation funding to SMEs across the UK motor industry supply chain, including drawing in new players. The funding has come from Innovate UK, the Department for Transport, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and Department for Business and Trade, with the latter facilitated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK.
The feasibility studies, proof of concept and production readiness projects, funded through the NVN programme, have showcased UK capabilities and helped foster a vibrant and highly innovative motor industry SME supply chain, with technology transfer through to UK niche vehicle manufacturers, Tier 1s and larger OEMs.
The timing is right for Cenex to focus on helping create demand pull from fleets for the vehicles and supporting infrastructure that will assist the ongoing transition to Net Zero transport, along with the new frontier that is Connected Automated Mobility.
The NVN delivery team have worked closely with APC for 8 years and given this continuity, the NVN programme will be in safe hands with APC going forward.”
Rik Adams, Innovation Delivery Director, APC:
“We are passionate about supporting SMEs at APC, and we are delighted to be able to build on the successes of the last 8 years working with NVN and thank Cenex for such strong stewardship. The UK has a thriving niche sector, with huge ambition and opportunity – and we believe this deeper partnership will allow us to offer significant value to SMEs in UK Automotive, by providing our award-winning accelerator programme, Mobilise, and a breadth of additional support via the Niche Vehicle Network. The APC team are looking forward to working with Scott and Charlotte more closely to help UK SMEs flourish.”
Scott Thompson, Programme Director, The Niche Vehicle Network:
“On behalf of the niche vehicle sector and all the thousands of technology & manufacturing companies involved within it, I’d like to express our sincere thanks to Cenex for their custodianship of the NVN for the 15 past years, and all the delivery support they’ve provided. As the NVN moves into a new phase, we’re really looking forward to working closer with the APC team, building on the excellent relationship we’ve had for the past 8 years delivering the NVN Production Readiness collaborative R&D projects. It’s a natural progression, which ensures that we can continue to support SMEs within the niche vehicle sector as they look to grow and expand.”