The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced nine companies selected to conduct trials as part of the fourth round of the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator.

These businesses will receive nearly £1.1 million to test innovative technologies which could transform the face of freight and logistics in the UK, through the Government’s Freight Innovation Fund.

Funding of up to £130,000 will be paid out to nine small and medium-sized (SMEs) firms, looking at fresh ways to solve key challenges within freight and logistics industry. Money will go towards testing and trialling their new technologies - with support from key players in the sector and Connected Places Catapult.

The nine successful SMEs are:
Anteam
Berkeley Coachworks
GoLink Advisory Group
Optimal Cities
Rhevia
SLANT Sustainable Technologies Ltd.
SpatialCortex Technology Limited
Supply Chain Analysis Ltd.
Zizo

The fund aims to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in the freight sector ranging, from decarbonisation and wastage to efficiency and upskilling of staff.

Technology to be trialled includes lightweight trailers inspired by the aerodynamics of racing cars, sensors designed to improve the wellbeing of staff working at ports, as well as environmentally-friendly electric trailers which can be pulled along by bikes rather than cars or vans.