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The UK is making a bold move to secure its place at the heart of the global electric vehicle revolution.
Labour’s new DRIVE35 programme commits £2.5 billion to strengthening the entire electric vehicle supply chain — not just the cars we see on the road, but the factories, technologies and skills that make them possible.
Rather than focusing solely on finished vehicles, DRIVE35 targets the industrial backbone of EV manufacturing. From batteries and power electronics to motors, software and advanced materials, the initiative is designed to rebuild the UK’s automotive ecosystem for a zero-emission future.
Running from 2025 to 2030, with long-term backing through 2035, the programme includes:
- £2bn in capital investment to support large-scale manufacturing and factory transformation
- £500m for research and development, helping innovations move from lab to production line
Funding will be delivered across three key areas:
Innovation – accelerating next-generation EV and battery technologies
Scale-up – supporting pilot projects and early manufacturing
Industrial transformation – enabling major investments in new facilities, retooling and capacity growth
The ambition is clear:
✔ Encourage manufacturers to invest in the UK
✔ Keep more value within the domestic supply chain
✔ Reduce reliance on fragile global imports
Government analysis suggests DRIVE35 could unlock billions in private investment, support tens of thousands of skilled jobs, and help the UK exceed 1.3 million vehicles produced annually by 2035 — all while cutting road transport emissions and boosting global competitiveness.
Crucially, DRIVE35 offers a clearer, more joined-up pathway for SMEs, scale-ups and major manufacturers alike, delivered through established industry partners.
A significant step forward for UK manufacturing — and a strong signal that the UK intends to lead, not follow, in the electric vehicle transition.
Find out how your business can accelerate its transition to a greener future — get in touch at hello@gleg.co.uk.