One of the first decisions of the new European Commission (EC) was to take further steps that are essential to promote the competitiveness of the EU industry. On 3 December 2024 it launched two new calls for proposals with a budget of EUR 3,4 billion to expedite the development of innovative decarbonisation technologies in Europe, including electric battery vehicles. In addition, the EU hydrogen sector will be supported through auctions via the European Hydrogen Bank (EUR 1,2 billion).
The net zero call (IF24 Call), worth EUR 2,4 billion, should support decarbonisation projects on various scales (large, middle and small), including projects which focus on the manufacturing of components for the production of renewable energy, energy storage heat pumps and hydrogen production. Projects will be assessed on basis of their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, degree of innovation, project maturity (technical, financial and operational), replicability in terms of efficiency gains and multiple environmental impacts and cost efficiency. Member states are permitted to complement the net zero project with national funding schemes.
The EU introduces for the first time an EUR 1 billion innovation fund call for electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing (IF24 Battery) which will support innovative vehicle battery cells or develop innovative manufacturing techniques, processes and technologies. It is only one measure of some other measures which are needed to overcome some of the economic barriers that the European battery value chain is facing. Another measure that has been introduced under the innovation fund is a new partnership to invest in the EU’s battery manufacturing sector. This arrangement will see a EUR 200 million top-up loan guarantee to the InvestEU programme from the innovation fund. This arrangement will provide additional EIB (European Investment Bank) venture debt instruments over the next three years to address financing challenges in this sector.
Requests for grants under both calls should be submitted before 24 April 2025. Note that only the most innovative and mature projects will qualify.
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