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Strategic Analysis
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action targets the development and demonstration of advanced high-voltage (post 800V), Megawatt Charging System (MCS) compatible, and modular powertrains for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs). A winning proposal will clearly articulate how its innovative design achieves significant energy efficiency gains, particularly a 10% reduction in charging losses, alongside cost-effectiveness and enhanced sustainability through modularity and second-life battery considerations. The proposal must emphasize robust real-world demonstration and alignment with the 2ZERO Partnership's vision for a competitive, circular, and zero-tailpipe emission ecosystem.
TRL 4 → 7
Simplify system configurations while ensuring energy efficiency for achieving economies of scale and extending component lifespans.
Increase the voltage (post 800V) to an optimal level with regard to efficiency, affordability, and performance – and especially the compatibility with Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) – to support faster charging needs and reduction of charging losses within the vehicle by 10 %, while considering the context of modularity and safety.
Demonstrate the benefits of high-voltage systems also for fast charging and addressing auxiliary components, e.g. thermal management, including the modular interchangeability.
Consider the possibility of modular and removable battery systems that would favour second-life applications to further enhance sustainability.
Develop modular powertrain systems to enable tailored solutions for specific use cases, maintain flexibility for broader applications also by developing and defining relevant hardware and software interfaces.
Demonstrate vehicle solutions in relevant environments to ensure the ability for effective integration with innovative Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture and thermal management strategies, or wider solutions.
Evaluate life-cycle costs against previous lower voltage systems in order to identify potential improvements.
Demonstrated integration potential and modularity of next level advanced high-voltage systems to benefit cost of Commercial Vehicles (CV) in particular for the Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDV) segment.
Improved energy efficiency and higher utilization potential of HDV (ensuring full operational capability for the intended usage models) via high-voltage powertrain configurations.
Accelerated uptake of a zero-tailpipe emission ecosystem, with interoperable technological solutions developed at system level (vehicles, infrastructure, user and energy grid) that support the global competitiveness of the EU transport and mobility system.
Zero-tailpipe emission mobility solutions developed that are affordable, efficient, user-friendly, inclusive, safe and circular with concepts and technologies that are easy to deploy, considering needs, behaviours and socio-economic conditions of all end-users.
Clean mobility solutions for a climate neutral and environmentally friendly and zero pollution mobility with a higher level of circularity;
Increased responsiveness of zero tailpipe emission vehicles and systems to diverse societal interests and concerns.
Enable breakthrough technologies and innovations that will contribute to the design (addressing also eco-design and circularity principles), manufacturing, maintenance and operations of new generation aircrafts, also powered by renewable energy and sustainable aviation fuels, for a competitive and clean EU aviation ecosystem (including airports).
Derisk and accelerate the introduction of new digital technologies (with emphasis on AI) at all levels in the industrial aviation ecosystem, while addressing all safety-related issues in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Higher autonomy range in electric and hybrid vessels.
Uptake of renewable and low carbon fuels and improved knowledge on the suitability of innovative renewable and low carbon fuels and other energy carriers for waterborne transport.
Support the objectives of the European Port Strategy and Waterborne Industrial Strategy, contributing the role of ports as energy hubs, improving efficiency and safety through digitalization, improving the resilience and security of the transport network, as well as increasing the competitiveness of the industrial and technology EU capabilities.
Significant reduction of emissions from large vessels due to the merging of energy efficiency and renewable and low carbon fuels.
Sustainability of waterborne transport by design, considering air and water pollution, circularity and life-cycle assessments in shipbuilding.
Improved safety of seafarers, port workers and the environment.
The better monitoring of the environmental performance and enforcement of emissions regulation and biodiversity protection in order to reduce the overall environmental impact of transport (e.g.: as regards biodiversity, noise, pollution and waste) on human health and ecosystems.
Green transition
highThe call is a cornerstone of the EU’s green transition, aiming to decarbonize energy systems through circular, sustainable energy storage and infrastructure retrofitting.
Evaluators will look for measurable contributions to decarbonization, such as GHG emissions reductions, and alignment with the EU Green Deal objectives.
Towards zero emission road transport (2ZERO) Partnership
highThe 2ZERO Partnership is a co-programmed partnership under Horizon Europe dedicated to accelerating the transition to zero-emission road transport. It focuses on developing and deploying innovative solutions for battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and energy systems integration, covering all vehicle segments from light-duty to heavy-duty.
Proposals must explicitly align with the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) of the 2ZERO Partnership. Evaluators will look for clear demonstrations of how the proposed solutions contribute to the partnership's objectives, such as achieving higher energy efficiency, reducing costs, improving range, and enabling the rapid deployment of zero-emission HDVs and their supporting infrastructure.
Digital transition
mediumWhile not the primary focus, the call’s emphasis on secure-by-design energy systems and cybersecurity aligns with the digital transition by ensuring resilient and smart energy infrastructures.
Evaluators will expect proposals to address cybersecurity risks and digital resilience in energy storage and grid integration solutions.
A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe
mediumThe call contributes to this policy by enhancing energy security, economic viability, and stakeholder engagement, fostering a more resilient and inclusive energy system.
Evaluators will value proposals that demonstrate socioeconomic benefits, such as job creation, community engagement, and policy alignment with EU resilience goals.
European Port Strategy
mediumThe European Port Strategy focuses on modernizing European ports, enhancing their role as multimodal hubs, and improving their connectivity, sustainability, and competitiveness. It addresses critical aspects such as infrastructure development, digitalization, and environmental performance to ensure ports are ready for future challenges.
Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions, such as advanced HDV powertrains and charging infrastructure, can integrate with or support port operations. This includes contributing to reducing emissions within port areas, improving logistics efficiency, and aligning with the overall sustainability and digitalization goals of European ports.
Waterborne Industrial Strategy
lowThe Waterborne Industrial Strategy aims to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the European waterborne transport sector, encompassing shipbuilding, maritime equipment, and operations. Its core objectives include accelerating decarbonization, fostering digitalization, and promoting innovation to maintain Europe's global leadership in the maritime industry.
Proposals should illustrate how their innovations contribute to the broader goals of the waterborne sector. This could involve enabling efficient and sustainable multimodal transport chains that integrate waterborne segments, or developing technologies (e.g., high-power charging, advanced battery systems) that offer synergies with maritime applications.
Specific requirements
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
Entities established in China not eligible
Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination.
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries — described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used). Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks. described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds — are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes — are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual .
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement — described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf ]]. described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Not applicable.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) Lump Sum MGA Call-specific instructions Detailed budget table (HE LS) Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that present a clear, technically sound, and innovative approach to meeting the specified high-voltage (post 800V) and MCS compatibility requirements, with a strong focus on modularity, safety, and a quantifiable 10% reduction in charging losses. They will seek robust plans for real-world vehicle demonstration, a comprehensive life-cycle cost analysis against existing systems, and a credible strategy for integrating second-life battery applications. Crucially, the proposal must demonstrate a strong contribution to the 2ZERO Partnership's goals for a competitive and circular zero-tailpipe emission transport system.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Simplify system configurations while ensuring energy efficiency for achieving economies of scale and extending component lifespans. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Increase the voltage (post 800V) to an optimal level with regard to efficiency, affordability, and performance – and especially the compatibility with Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) – to support faster charging needs and reduction of charging losses within the vehicle by 10 %, while considering the context of modularity and safety. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Demonstrate the benefits of high-voltage systems also for fast charging and addressing auxiliary components, e.g. thermal management, including the modular interchangeability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Consider the possibility of modular and removable battery systems that would favour second-life applications to further enhance sustainability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Develop modular powertrain systems to enable tailored solutions for specific use cases, maintain flexibility for broader applications also by developing and defining relevant hardware and software interfaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Demonstrate vehicle solutions in relevant environments to ensure the ability for effective integration with innovative Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture and thermal management strategies, or wider solutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Evaluate life-cycle costs against previous lower voltage systems in order to identify potential improvements. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Demonstrated integration potential and modularity of next level advanced high-voltage systems to benefit cost of Commercial Vehicles (CV) in particular for the Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDV) segment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Improved energy efficiency and higher utilization potential of HDV (ensuring full operational capability for the intended usage models) via high-voltage powertrain configurations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Reporting results to the 2ZERO European PartnershipProjects resulting from this topic are expected to report on their results to the co-programmed European Partnership on 'Towards zero emission road transport' (2ZERO) to support the monitoring of its KPIs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOSIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Accelerated uptake of a zero-tailpipe emission ecosystem, with interoperable technological solutions developed at system level (vehicles, infrastructure, user and energy grid) that support the global competitiveness of the EU transport and mobility system. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Zero-tailpipe emission mobility solutions developed that are affordable, efficient, user-friendly, inclusive, safe and circular with concepts and technologies that are easy to deploy, considering needs, behaviours and socio-economic conditions of all end-users. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Clean mobility solutions for a climate neutral and environmentally friendly and zero pollution mobility with a higher level of circularity; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Increased responsiveness of zero tailpipe emission vehicles and systems to diverse societal interests and concerns. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5Enable breakthrough technologies and innovations that will contribute to the design (addressing also eco-design and circularity principles), manufacturing, maintenance and operations of new generation aircrafts, also powered by renewable energy and sustainable aviation fuels, for a competitive and clean EU aviation ecosystem (including airports). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6Derisk and accelerate the introduction of new digital technologies (with emphasis on AI) at all levels in the industrial aviation ecosystem, while addressing all safety-related issues in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI7Higher autonomy range in electric and hybrid vessels. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI8Uptake of renewable and low carbon fuels and improved knowledge on the suitability of innovative renewable and low carbon fuels and other energy carriers for waterborne transport. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI9Support the objectives of the European Port Strategy and Waterborne Industrial Strategy, contributing the role of ports as energy hubs, improving efficiency and safety through digitalization, improving the resilience and security of the transport network, as well as increasing the competitiveness of the industrial and technology EU capabilities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI10Significant reduction of emissions from large vessels due to the merging of energy efficiency and renewable and low carbon fuels. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI11Sustainability of waterborne transport by design, considering air and water pollution, circularity and life-cycle assessments in shipbuilding. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI12Improved safety of seafarers, port workers and the environment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI13The better monitoring of the environmental performance and enforcement of emissions regulation and biodiversity protection in order to reduce the overall environmental impact of transport (e.g.: as regards biodiversity, noise, pollution and waste) on human health and ecosystems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1green transitionThe call is a cornerstone of the EU’s green transition, aiming to decarbonize energy systems through circular, sustainable energy storage and infrastructure retrofitting. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2towards zero emission road transport (2zero) partnershipThe 2ZERO Partnership is a co-programmed partnership under Horizon Europe dedicated to accelerating the transition to zero-emission road transport. It focuses on developing and deploying innovative solutions for battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and energy systems integration, covering all vehicle segments from light-duty to heavy-duty. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
Entities established in China not eligible
Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination.
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