UYILO KICK START FUND

The uYilo e-Mobility Programme invites qualifying projects to submit proposals from Wednesday, 2 October, 2024, to the uYilo “Kick Start” fund. The fund was established to support electric mobility (e-Mobility)-related products or services development, by providing an agile mechanism to fund applied research and development to a maximum of:

(i) R500,000 (including VAT) per project for individual projects (one participant),

(ii) R1,000,000 (including VAT) per project for collaborative projects (multiple participants). For collaborative projects matched (50:50) co-funding is required.

The grant funding is focused on applied research that will accelerate Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and lead to the creation of products, processes or services that can be commercialised to advance South Africa’s e-Mobility Industry. Proposals will have to meet the hurdle and adjudication criteria, and demonstrate the intent to further develop and commercialise the proposed technology. Priority will be given to projects that:

(i) have established research in uYilo’s strategic focus areas:

    • • Energy Storage Technologies;
      • Electric Vehicle Systems;
      • Charging Infrastructure within Smart-Grids;
      • Connected Car, and/or

(ii) industry projects that will lead to local manufacturing of a product, or delivery of a service, or support public transportation.

Funding for the current fiscal year is limited and applicants are advised to complement past Kick Start-funded projects and support collaborative projects towards an inclusive ecosystem.

Supporting documents and application form are located at the links on this web page.

Final proposals must be submitted by 12h00, Friday, 13 December, 2024, via email to info@uyilo.org.za with the subject “Call for Proposals – uYilo Kick Start Fund”.

For any additional information kindly email info@uyilo.org.za.

iPoint  – Electric vehicle charge point remote content management
Development of software for remote monitoring, maintenance and digital content at electric vehicle charge points
Contact iPoint
Golden Arrow Electric Bus Golden Arrow Bus Services – Electric bus public transport feasibility
Detailed feasibility and pilot with electric bus operations to guide South African public transportation.
Contact GABS
Lattech system Lattech Systems – Electric vehicle focussed vehicle telematics unit
Development of an electric vehicle focussed telematics unit that is CAN-Bus connected and over-the-air manageable.
Contact Lattech Systems
Manganese Metal Company – Manganese sulphate feasibility
Economically feasible process route determination for the production of high purity manganese sulphate from South African ore.
Contact Manganese Metal Company
Battery Power Industries – 18650 Cylindrical cell battery pack module
Design and development of 18650 cell based battery module for use in battery powered mining vehicles.
Contact Battery Power Industries
EV BackOffice (QBSoft) – Electric Vehicle charge point backoffice system
A fully integrated electric vehicle charge point backoffice management system for remote management, reporting, monitoring and diagnostics of electric vehicle charge points.
Contact EVBackOffice
Intelligent Machines – Induction motor and controller for Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems
Design and prototyping induction motor and controller for kinetic energy recovery systems in heavy vehicles.
Email Intelligent Machines
Microcare – 50kW three-phase DC fast charger for electric vehicles
Development of a locally designed and manufactured 50kW DC Fast Charger compatible with CHAdeMO and CCS-2 standards.
Contact Microcare
Ubun2Tech – Four-wheeled electrically powered trailer and electric quad
A battery-powered off-road electric trailer daisy-chained to an off-road electric quad vehicle utilised for rural agricultural environments.
EWIZZ – Development of core electric vehicle management system
Hardware and Software development of an onboard system that monitors, integrates and manages local electric vehicle system components, with a cloud server application for analysis, alerting and reporting.
Contact EWIZZ
MLT Inverters – Karoo70 for second life EV battery applications
Hardware and Software development for the MLT Karoo70 hybrid inverter for use cases with high-voltage, CAN bus enabled, electric vehicle battery packs within second-life.
Contact MLT Inverters
PowerMote – 4×4 utility vehicle
Two motor variant (permanent magnet and high frequency induction motor) drive system on a 4×4 electric vehicle with integrated with range extender and solar charger.
Contact PowerMote
Stellenbosch University and MellowCabs – Intelligent Battery Management System, Charger, Drive System
Local value-added technology development of 48V Battery Management System, 1.5kW AC charger and 5kW Brushless DC motor controller for the MellowCab.
Contact MellowCabs
GridCars – Charge Point and Server (OCCP)
AC charge point and server development to the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP).
Contact GridCars
PowerMote – Utility vehicle motor and controller
Prototype development of a synchronous reluctance motor and power electronics controller drive system for electric vehicles.
Contact PowerMote
University of Western Cape – Lithium-ion battery pack
Development of a prototype electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack with cell integration and battery management.
Contact UWC