- Nissan’s evolvAD autonomous driving project wins The Engineer’s 2025 Collaborate to Innovate (C2i) Automotive Award
- The consortium‑led programme, using electric Nissan LEAFs with cutting‑edge autonomous technology, demonstrated reliable performance across complex urban and rural environments
- The award, recognises evolvAD’s success in uniting industry, academia and government to accelerate scalable autonomous mobility solutions
Nissan’s groundbreaking autonomous driving initiative, evolvAD, has taken home the Automotive Award at The Engineer’s 2025 Collaborate to Innovate (C2i) Awards. The award recognises how Nissan’s engineering efforts are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on today’s roads.
Presented at the Institution of Civil Engineers by sponsors from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the award highlights the achievements of Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) engineers and their partners as they tackle one of the industry’s biggest challenges: making Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) dependable, safe and ready for everyday use. It also marks a major step in strengthening the UK supply chain needed to support future commercial rollout.
Robert Bateman, evolvAD Project Manager and Manager of Nissan’s Research and Advanced Engineering team at NTCE, said:
“Seeing a Nissan LEAF drive itself in both urban and rural conditions was an exciting and proud moment, capping this fantastic engineering effort.
“On behalf of the entire evolvAD team at Nissan and our partners, it is a privilege to receive this award and be recognised by our industry peers.
“This project demonstrates the power of collaboration across industry, academia and government. Working together, evolvAD not only advances Nissan’s autonomous drive capability but also strengthens the UK’s position as a global leader in connected and autonomous vehicle innovation.”
Building on the success of earlier UK projects, HumanDrive and ServCity, evolvAD advances Nissan’s global vision for a safer, cleaner and more inclusive mobility future.
Delivered by a consortium of five partners with Nissan as technical lead, evolvAD was jointly funded by government and industry. The government’s £100m Intelligent Mobility fund was administered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and delivered by Innovate UK.
Using the second generation, 100% electric, Nissan LEAFs equipped with cutting edge autonomous drive systems, and with a safety driver seated behind the wheel, hands off and observing the surrounding traffic, the project tested performance across both narrow urban residential areas and winding rural roads at high speeds with little to no road markings.
At its heart, evolvAD brings together expertise in vehicle engineering, digital infrastructure, communications and safety to develop solutions that extend beyond tightly controlled test tracks. With a focus on real-world scalability and strengthening UK capability, the programme aims not only to advance autonomous driving capability but also to equip UK suppliers with the tools and technical direction needed to compete in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
# # #
NOTES TO EDITORS
The consortium partners include:
- Nissan: Lead partner and leading the development of the connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) that will be trialled during the project
- Connected Places Catapult: Applying advanced machine-learning techniques to generate high-definition maps from aerial imagery
- Humanising Autonomy: UK supplier with advanced vulnerable road user (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists) perception and behaviour estimation capability
- SBD Automotive: On Board Cyber security and advanced safety case
- TRL: Further developing vehicle system validation processes utilising infrastructure on the Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL) testbed
To learn more about Nissan AMIEO Sustainability, follow the link here.
About Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania)
Nissan is driven by its long-term vision, “Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life,” bringing advanced technologies into everyday experiences to make mobility safer, smarter and more accessible. Through a customer-centric approach and a focus on innovation, Nissan is transforming how people move, creating more connected, intuitive and rewarding mobility experiences.
The AMIEO region plays a pivotal role in advancing this vision. Across its diverse markets, Nissan is expanding access to electrified mobility, introducing innovative technologies and building strategic partnerships that deliver value to customers and drive sustainable growth.
For more information about Nissan's products, services and commitment to intelligent mobility, visit nissan-global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
Contacts:
Callum Daly
Section Manager - Communications
E: callum.daly@ntc-europe.co.uk