A Toyota-led micromobility project to develop a new lightweight battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the UK has received funding from the government’s Drive35 Collaborate programme.
The project will evaluate the feasibility of a lightweight BEV prototype, conforming to the L6e – light quadricycle – category, with the vehicle to be manufactured at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s (TMUK) site in Burnaston, Derbyshire.
This £30.3 million initiative includes a £15m grant from the Department for Business and Trade, supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK’s Collaborate funding competition.
Consortium members include Elm, a specialist in lightweight urban delivery vehicles, as well as Savcor which will lead the solar PV lightweight roof design and integration.
Meanwhile, the University of Derby will provide expertise in studying micromobility user behaviour and the viability of solar energy, while Toyota Motor Europe will support the skills development of TMUK team members during the project.
The study draws inspiration from the FT-Me concept Toyota unveiled in March 2025 as a vision for future micromobility in Europe.
Dariusz Mikolajczak, TMUK managing director, said, “We are delighted to receive support from the Advanced Propulsion Centre for this important study.
“The funding allows us to advance our understanding around the feasibility of creating a cutting-edge battery electric vehicle that addresses the growing demand for sustainable urban mobility.”
Rik Adams, innovation delivery director at the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) UK, said, “As an integral part of the UK automotive industry, we are delighted that Toyota is partnering with some of our innovative SME businesses, such as Elm, and our world-class academics from the University of Derby, to deliver a cutting-edge vehicle concept designed, developed, and tested in the UK.”
