CSIRO Kick-Start offers dollar-matched funding of up to $50,000 to aid research projects for start-ups and small businesses that are on their way to becoming Australian success stories.

Along with the money, those start-ups get access to CSIRO’s experts to help develop their products.

Tomcar Australia will use its funds to research the feasibility of the electrification of its off-road vehicles with CSIRO’s manufacturing team.

The work will provide an integrated systems solution tailored to Tomcar’s vehicles and will build on CSIRO’s electric motors expertise.

Following the feasibility testing Tomcar plans to continue its collaboration with CSIRO in the development of prototypes and full production of Australia’s first electric vehicle, forecast for a 2018 launch.

“We pride ourselves on being a disruptive vehicle manufacturer and being able to partner with Australia’s research institutes to access engineering capabilities and expertise that we wouldn’t normally have access to is what’s helping us achieve that,” Tomcar Australia co-founder and CEO David Brim said.

“CSIRO’s Kick-Start program has taken away the financial burdens that would have prohibited us from taking this next step.”

Underground mining is an ideal potential market for an electric Tomcar.

CSIRO director, manufacturing Dr Keith McLean said Australian start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises were critical to driving Australia’s innovation output.

“CSIRO is committed to supporting them by providing access to our research expertise, capabilities and facilities,” McLean said.

“CSIRO Kick-Start is just the beginning of what we hope to be longstanding collaborations and strategic partnerships.”