PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGO: For immediate release
- uYilo eMobility Programme Kick Start Fund 2021 applications open
- Funding for eMobility and related projects up to R1 million
- Closing date for applications 30 June 2021
Electric mobility development funding call for proposals
The 2021 uYilo Kick Start funding call is open for eMobility and related projects to apply – and receive as much as R1 million in grant funding aimed at assisting projects reach commercialization into the market.
uYilo eMobility Programme first provided Kick Start funding to qualifying eMobility and assistive projects in 2014. The fund was created as part of uYilo’s mandate to enable, facilitate and mobilise eMobility in South Africa.
“The switch to electric mobility is changing the transport landscape globally,” says uYilo Director, Hiten Parmar. “A critical part of this transition for South Africa is to have localised content, promote local industry and encourage local job creation. This is both to reduce the reliance on imported technology and products, and to extract the maximum benefit from the minerals and other resources that are abundant in Africa.”
“Creating employment opportunities is a crucial part of improving the economy – and jobs in future growth sectors with emerging technology are highly desirable,” says Parmar. “The aim for all Kick Startfunded projects is to facilitate the development to commercially-viable products, with associated job creation.”
All projects in the eMobilityecosystem and value-chain are welcome to apply, each will be evaluated according to specific criteria and then managed throughout the development process to reach a set of milestones in order to achieve a successful outcome.
Applications must be received by midday 30 June 2021 in order to be considered for funding, at which point each will be evaluated for shortlisting to pitching sessions before final contracting for funding.
Previous approved projects include EV charge points, EV back-office solution, battery packsand EV system componentsamongst others.
“Golden Arrow Bus Service in Cape Town is currently piloting an electric bus which will soon be open to public use,” says Parmar. “This project was one of the most recent to receive uYilo Kick Start funding and started as a detailed public transport feasibility study which has now progressed to this pilot phase.”
“With the global push to electric mobility there is a limited lifespan to the internal combustion engine – and this will have an impact locally. There is perhaps a decade left internationally for ICE and South Africa has only that long to ensure our local eMobility sector is market ready,” says Parmar. “The Kick Start fund is one of the instruments which drives the local development of this sector.”
Application forms and other relevant documentation is available on the uYilo website, at https://www.uyilo.org.za/kick-start-fund/. All applications must be submitted by midday on 30 June 2021.
Previous approved Kick Start projects:
Golden Arrow Bus Services
Detailed feasibility study and pilot project with electric bus operations to guide public transportation
Lattech Systems
Development of an electric vehicle-focused telematics unit that is CAN-BUS connected and over-the-air manageable
Manganese Metal Company
Economically feasible process route determination for the production of high purity manganese sulphate
Battery Power Industries
Design and development of 18650 cell-based battery module for use in battery-powered mining vehicles
EVBackOffice (QBSoft)
Electric vehicle charge point back-office for remote management, reporting, monitoring and diagnostics of electric vehicle charge points
Ubun2Tech
Battery-powered off-road electric trailer daisy-chained to an off-road electric quad vehicle utilised for rural agricultural environments
Intelligent Machines
Induction motors and controllers for Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems in heavy vehicles
Microcare
Development of a locally designed and manufactured 50kW DC Fast Charger compatible with CHAdeMO and CS-2 standards
PowerMote
Two motor variant drive system on a 4×4 electric vehicle with integrated with range extender and solar charger
Stellenbosch University and MellowCabs
Battery Management System, Charger, Drive System
MLT Inverters
Karoo70 hybrid inverter for second life EV batteryapplications
EWIZZ
Development of core EV management system, unit, cloud
PowerMote
Development of a synchronous reluctance motor and power electronics controller drive system for utility electric vehicles
GridCars
AC Charge Point and Server
University of Western Cape
Development of a prototype electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack with cell integration and battery management.
Ends
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Hiten Parmar
Director: uYilo e-Mobility Programme
+27 (0)10 005 5346
info@uyilo.org.za
uYilo Electric Mobility Programme
The national uYilo Electric Mobility Programme was established in 2013 as a multi-stakeholder, collaborative programme focused on enabling, facilitating and mobilising electric mobility in South Africa. uYilo is an initiative of the Technology Innovation Agency, a public entity of the Department of Science and Innovation. uYilo’s corporate satellite offices are located in Johannesburg and facilities headquartered in Port Elizabeth.
Website: uYilo Twitter: uYiloZA LinkedIn: uYilo Facebook: uYiloZA