Cadent is seeking:

1. Electric or alternative low-emission vehicles with:

• Minimum real-world operational range exceeding 150 miles
• Capability to power specialist operational tools
• Safe operation in, or adjacent to, gaseous atmospheres
• Compliance with UK vehicle and safety regulations

2. Hazardous-environment-compatible tools that:

• Can be powered by onboard vehicle systems
• Meet or exceed current diesel-equivalent performance
• Are suitable for gas network repair operations

Expected Technology Readiness Level (TRL):

Solutions should be TRL 6+, with capability for pilot deployment within 24 months +.

Entrants to this competition must be:

• Established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs, or individual entrepreneurs
• UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base

Applications will be assessed on:

• Relevance to the defined challenge
• Benefit of implementation
• Feasibility/economic viability
• Innovative nature
• Ability to launch in line with expected timescales
• Credibility of applicant company
• Coherence of the proposed business model
• Development potential
• Maturity of the solution
• Suitability for the intended geographic market

• Challenge launch: 16 June 2026
• Deadline for applications: 28 July 2026
• Selection and notification of finalists: 25 August 2026
• Pitch Day: week commencing: 7 September

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to Cadent. Selected solutions will be trialled by Cadent with potential for further adoption if trials are successful.

The benefits package for a successful applicant may also include:

• Support from Innovate UK Business Connect
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot
• Technical support
• Invitation to attend or present at Innovate UK Business Connect events
• A potential business collaboration
• Investor introductions (if investment is required)
• Support if any Innovate UK or similar competitions are relevant

Existing background IP associated with a potential solution will remain with Solution Provider(s). Where any new IP generation is envisaged, it will be subject to the mutual IP agreement of the solution provider(s) and challenge holder.

Any commercial deployment of a transferred solution or newly developed solution, through licensing, joint venture, partnership, or direct investment, will be subject to the commercial agreement between the solution provider(s) and challenge holder.

Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the solution provider(s) and challenge holder.

Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect do not take any share of IP ownership or enter commercial ventures through the iX programme.

Functional requirements

The solution must:

• Deliver >150 mile operational range under real-world duty cycles
• Provide onboard power capable of operating multiple tools
• Support tools rated for hazardous environments (e.g., ATEX compliant where required)
• Maintain payload capacity equivalent to current diesel fleet vehicles
• Operate reliably in urban and rural environments
• Support emergency response scenarios
• Allow safe storage of hand tools, excavation tools and breathing apparatus

Technical requirements

The solution must:

• Be compliant with all relevant UK legislation including vehicle, electrical, and workplace safety regulations
• Not introduce ignition risks in hazardous atmospheres
• Provide sufficient continuous and peak power output for tools such as:
  • Road breakers
  • Cutting equipment
  • Foul water pumps
  • Soil picks
  • Breathing apparatus systems
  • On-site lighting systems
• Maintain electrical isolation and protection systems appropriate for gas network environments

Operating conditions

The solution must operate safely:

• In proximity to live gas mains
• In potentially gaseous atmospheres
• In wet and muddy excavation environments
• In confined spaces
• During emergency response scenarios
• In varying UK weather conditions

The application form for this challenge will require applicants to provide company information and answer 3 questions – Idea Summary, Technology Readiness and Intellectual Property – each with a limit of 300 words.

Optionally, up to 3 supporting documents can be attached to the application. We recommend that supporting documents are limited to those which are directly relevant to the application. Please note that applications with no supporting document will not receive any penalty in assessment. Supporting documents which the Assessment Panel deems to be superfluous may be disregarded. Examples of useful additional documents include product images or short specification sheets, slide decks detailing the solution and/or company background, or solution case studies.

We recommend that you complete the application form in Google Chrome as other browsers may have compatibility issues. The application form does not need to be completed in one session and can be saved for future edits. Please ensure that you toggle “Stage Complete” for each section before submission. Note that you will no longer be able to edit your application once you have clicked “Submit Idea” at the bottom of the Summary page.