Niche Vehicle Network

Proof of Concept / 2024

Boped Proof of Concept: Enhanced Utility for E-Moped

BOMOBILITY LTD

The Boped Proof of Concept seeks to create a fully functional demonstrator vehicle for a new and innovative omni-category lightweight e-motorcycle.

Aiming to enable the niche production of highly optimised vehicles for specific use-cases: the Boped project is a response to the new era of e-mobility tearing apart the rulebook on vehicle categories and capabilities.

The Boped Proof of Concept showcases UK niche design and engineering at its best: identifying new vehicle opportunities based on the latest technological progress, and offering a better user experience in response.

Proof of Concept / 2024

Ultra Low Floor Electric Truck for Safer and Cleaner Deliveries

FR8 TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

This project will produce a static demonstrator 16 Tonne rigid delivery vehicle with a low-floor, providing direct access for unloading from the truck to the footpath. Reducing the access height to the load space from a typical 1200mm to just 300mm will be achieved using a radical patent-protected drive system with an e-motor mounted remote from the wheel, driving a gear train in the suspension arm and a double epicyclic reduction at the wheelhead. This solution offers a low floor truck with adequate clearance to load trolleys or pallets between the wheelboxes at the floor height lower than a van.

Proof of Concept / 2024

Conversion of 4wd Off highway construction vehicle from ICE to BEV_QPLEV_DEM1

QUATTRO PLANT LIMITED

Quattro Plant are leading developers in the field of up-cycled off-highway vehicles converting internal combustion engine machines to battery powertrains. This funding opportunity allows our R&D department to take what is a concept vehicle to become a technical demonstrator. These vehicles will directly match their ICE equivalents in performance and duty cycle but have zero tailpipe emissions.

These vehicles also work at significant noise and vibration reductions, making them ideally placed for urban environments and decreasing the long term effects caused by noise and vibration not only to operators but all surrounding site staff and visitors.

Proof of Concept / 2022

Ultra-efficient urban and extra-urban Modular Electric Vehicle - UltraMEV

LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURAL COMPOSITE PANELS TECHNOLOGIES LTD

To meet the needs of the rapidly evolving mid to final-mile delivery market, LSCPTech is developing an ultra-efficient modular electric vehicle (UltraMEV). UltraMEV is based on a novel modular ultra-lightweight (classification L7E-C) quadricycle platform to disrupt mid to final mile deliveries.

This project combines the natural fibre composite (NFC) manufacturing and development expertise of LSCPTech, the integrated electric motor module technology from Empel and expert EV integration knowledge from Rockfort to accelerate the UK's transition to clean, efficient mid to final mile delivery.

Proof of Concept / 2022

Solo

SO1O VENTURES LTD

Solo is designed to bridge the gap between bicycles and cars, helping to reduce congestion and carbon emissions in busy urban environments, whilst encouraging active travel.

The Solo bike will focus on creating the best year-round accessible experience for personal transport, within the public bike share market. It has four wheels for greater stability, a canopy that offers weather protection, space for shopping / luggage, or a passenger (one adult or two children) and will be electric pedal assist.

Additionally, there will be potential to expand the platform for alternative use cases including last mile delivery.

Proof of Concept / 2022

CitiPod Proof of Concept

CAMBRIDGE ELECTRIC TRANSPORT LIMITED

The CitiPod will provide a zero-emission mass micromobility solution. It will combine e-bike technology with leading-edge automotive design and engineering techniques, resulting in a safe, stable, weather-protected active travel vehicle. It has a similar comfort level and protection as a microcar while still conforming to UK and EU e-bike regulations. It can travel on cycleways and roads, with a space footprint of less than a third of an average car. Its ultra-lightweight construction (sub-60kg) makes it highly manoeuvrable and minimises wear and tear on roads. Passenger and Cargo versions will be developed (using common chassis and drivetrain).

Proof of Concept / 2022

Lightweight, Rapid-charge, Electric CALLUM ATV

PROJECT FOUR DESIGN LIMITED

CALLUM are leading a consortium with Nyobolt and Codem Composites to deliver a lightweight, rapid charge, HV electric ATV with a view of creating product that not only equals but betters the performance attributes of the ICE dominated ATVs on the market. The concept will look to deliver a composite, structural battery case and chassis with additive manufactured nodes and a game changing charge rate facilitating true rapid charge.

Proof of Concept / 2022

Zero Emission for Low Volume 2 (ZELV 2)

ARIEL ELECTRIC LIMITED

The transition to zero emission presents many challenges, however for NVMs, the hardest to overcome is the implementation of an affordable energy store that packages within the highly optimised platform. Ariel’s success has been based on the performance afforded by lightweight construction, so it is imperative that the core values are not lost through electrification. Can the introduction of a novel design of cooled battery pack accelerate NVMs transition to zero emission? This project aims to prove that this vehicle can be produced with a well-engineered electric powertrain that delivers exciting performance and sufficient range without compromising Ariel’s core attributes.

Proof of Concept / 2022

Electronic Virtual Gearbox

COLLINS LIMITED

The Electronic Virtual Gearbox technology confers benefits similar to a mechanical gearbox, providing electric vehicles a wider performance window for their energy source. It enables batteries to be up to 20% smaller, reducing costs, mass and raw materials. Additionally, the technology is safer, can improve brake regeneration efficiency, and has applications in wider transport, PEMD and power grids.

The project builds upon three previous NVN projects: EVG Feasibility, PoC bench-top EV dynamometer and Late Stage micro mobility powertrain development. The technology will be demonstrated objectively through hardware-in-the-loop testing and subjectively evaluated onboard a micro-EV platform from class-leading bomobility.

Proof of Concept / 2022

PROJECT MULTI-TRIKE

PASHLEY HOLDINGS LIMITED

Pashley manufactures its bicycle and tricycle products in the UK and is committed to continue this. The new Multi-Trike concept includes UK frame fabrication and assembly, maximising use of UK sourced components. JSC Rotational Moulding has been selected as a local partner for their expertise in environment friendly rotational moulding of large durable plastic pieces for the Cargo box. Pashley will use this PoC to evaluate three Mules with frames made in steel rather than aluminium as used currently in Bikeshare. PoC will examine a flexible, durable, zero emission light Urban e-trike for Bikeshare and Cargo for Consumer and B2B