Riversimple, the manufacturer behind the hydrogen-powered Rasa driven by King Charles in 2021, has unveiled a new project using nearly 30-year-old Audi A2 hatchbacks as 'mule cars' to develop its next generation of technology under the codename Runabout.
The company is set to receive £1.7 million in grant funding from the Labour government's DRIVE35 programme, a £2.5 billion initiative supporting automotive R&D. Riversimple founder Hugo Spowers MBE said the project demonstrates that zero-emission vehicles need not be heavy, highlighting UK innovation.
King Charles, an advocate for alternative fuels, owns an Aston Martin DB6 Volante converted to run on bioethanol from wine and cheese waste. He has also ordered a £160,000 Lotus Eletre SUV, according to reports.
