The project aims to advance high-voltage modular powertrain systems for Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDV) by improving energy efficiency, facilitating faster charging, and promoting sustainable practices. It focuses on cost reduction, performance optimization, and the integration of innovative components for better operational capabilities.
General information
- Programme
- Horizon Europe (HORIZON)2021–2027
- Call
- MOBILITY HORIZON-CL5-2027-03
- Programme part
- Pillar II · Global Challenges & CompetitivenessCluster 5 · Climate, Energy and Mobility
- Destination
- Achieving sustainable, inclusive, and competitive transport modes (2026-27)
- Type of action
- HORIZON-IA Innovation Actions
- Type of MGA
- HORIZON-AG-LS HORIZON Lump Sum Grant
- Status
- Forthcoming
- Deadline model
- Single-stage
- Opening date
- 15.12.2026
- Deadline date
- 14.04.2027, 17:00 Brussels time
- Cross-cutting priorities
Budget overview
| Type of action | Budget 2027 | EU contribution per project | Grants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HORIZON-IAInnovation Actions | €16M | €8M | 2 | 14.04.2027 |
Expected outcome
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- 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.
- Demonstrated benefits of high-voltage systems also for fast charging and auxiliary components.
Scope
Major challenges still faced by Heavy Duty Battery Electric Vehicles (HD-BEV) are cost and fast charging. As electric vehicles become more attractive through Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), significantly higher acquisition costs remain, partly caused by the wide spectrum of usage scenarios and a relatively low number of vehicles, which makes development costs a significant factor for vehicle price.
Proposed actions are expected to address all of the following aspects:
- 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.
This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on the results to the European Partnership ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs.
Who can apply
- A consortium of at least three independent organisations from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, at least one from an EU Member State.
- Ukraine has been associated to the programme since 2022: Ukrainian organisations can coordinate and receive funding on equal terms.
- Universities, research organisations, companies (including SMEs), public authorities and NGOs can take part.
Topic-specific condition: 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).In line with the “restriction on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas” delineated in General Annex B of the General Annexes, entities established in an eligible country but which are directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate in the action.
Applicant types in our database: All participants.
How to apply
- Register your organisation on the Funding & Tenders portal and get a PIC (9 digits).
- Build a consortium or join one: use Partner Search on the topic page.
- Download the proposal template (Part A forms, Part B narrative) in the submission system on the topic page.
- Submit by 14.04.2027, 17:00 Brussels time. The system opens on 15.12.2026.
The official topic text, templates and submission are on the Funding & Tenders topic page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-05?
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