Energy-efficient software-defined EVs (2ZERO Partnership)

This document outlines the Horizon Europe funding opportunity under the HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-02 topic focused on energy-efficient software-defined electric vehicles as part of the 2ZERO Partnership. The eligible applicant types include research organizations, higher education institutions, private companies (both SMEs and large enterprises), public entities, and other legal entities engaged in research and innovation. The funding type is a lump-sum grant within the HORIZON Innovation Actions framework, streamlining financial management processes for beneficiaries.

A consortium of multiple applicants is required to ensure the necessary expertise to address the complexity of the project, which seeks integration of hardware and software technologies for electric vehicles. Geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries, with specific conditions for non-EU countries financing their participation. The primary target sectors for the project are automotive, energy, and software, specifically focusing on electric vehicle technology, software-defined vehicle architecture, battery optimization, and vehicle-to-grid integration.

The call is expected to fund a project at a maturity level suitable for demonstration and validation in real-world scenarios. The funding amount allocated for this topic is approximately 16 million euros, with an anticipated single grant awarded at this level. A single-stage open call application process will be in place, opening on December 18, 2025, and closing on April 14, 2026, allowing all eligible applicants to submit proposals within that timeframe.

The nature of support includes direct monetary grants, and applicants will have access to additional non-monetary services via networks and contacts within EU mechanisms. Success rates for funding in similar calls typically range between 10 to 39%, reflecting a competitive landscape. There is no explicit co-funding requirement stated; however, applicants are encouraged to supplement the grant with additional resources for comprehensive project execution.

Overall, this funding opportunity emphasizes the integration of advanced technologies in the electric vehicle sector, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and promote sustainable practices in line with EU decarbonization goals.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals under the MOBILITY (HORIZON-CL5-2026-05) call, specifically targeting energy-efficient software-defined electric vehicles (SDVs) within the 2ZERO Partnership. The call is structured as a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) and utilizes a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). It follows a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is December 18, 2025, and the deadline for submission is April 14, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this call are: Demonstrated energy-efficient, electric Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) with scalable traction and chassis hardware (HW) subsystems, leveraging software (SW) abstraction layers. Real-life demonstration of functional integration in terms of user value, responsiveness to user and societal needs, charging infrastructure (vehicle-to-grid integration), cost reduction, and energy demand management. Testing and validation of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionalities in real-world conditions to ensure efficient, interoperable, and software-driven integration between SDVs and recharging infrastructure. Improved energy efficiency and sustainability with optimal-sized batteries and long-trip capability with fast charging. Optimal integration and demonstration of HW and SW solutions along with standardized interfaces to enable affordable, mass-market EVs, focusing on SDV application domains like chassis/powertrain, body comfort, and cockpit design for efficient, compact designs with minimal and sustainable material use.

The scope of the call is to explore the potential of Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) solutions to further leverage road vehicle technologies at the component and sub-system level. This involves bringing together developers working at the embedded system level with those working on high-level functions to ensure novel solutions conform with homologation requirements and are compatible with current automotive standards, especially regarding external infrastructure (e.g., EVSE regarding ISO 15118-20).

Proposed actions are expected to address the following aspects, where possible building upon available open-source building blocks: Investigate novel propulsion and chassis system packaging and performance from a holistic EV architecture perspective, improving performance via digital solutions and AI. Include chassis and traction hardware solutions and standardized control and physical interfaces to improve innovation speed and software solutions, leveraging open source. Develop a system architecture to ensure optimal compatibility with high-level SW and physical powertrain and Electrical/Electronic (E/E) systems, with SW tooling for efficient SDV development, integration, and validation. Target applications should be fit for mass-market M1 C-segment vehicles or below. Identify required software interfaces (Application Programming Interface and/or software services) for energy efficiency in powertrain, chassis, automated driving, and vehicle-to-grid functionalities. Develop solutions that minimize energy use while meeting user expectations, such as battery management, predictive maintenance, or eco-efficient routing and driving systems, leveraging AI-driven workflows. Ensure consistency of data and information from different sources and market players to ensure the scaling potential of solutions (i.e. in-vehicle interfaces as part of the Vehicle Signal Specification). Propose recommendations on possible test protocols for future implementation and safety ratings. Collaborate with the Software-defined Vehicle (SDV) initiative under the Chips JU by adopting relevant existing interfaces and building blocks, and proposing new ones developed within the project for potential inclusion in the SDV framework. Ensure close coordination with the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA).

This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO), and projects will be expected to report results to the partnership to support the monitoring of its KPIs.

The general conditions include: Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible Countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Other Eligible Conditions: Projects using satellite-based data must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Restrictions apply for the protection of European communication networks, as described in Annex B. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results up to 4 years after the action's end, as set out in Annex 5. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of July 7, 2021. Annex G provides additional details.

Specific conditions state that this call is Not applicable.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information: Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including a standard application form (HE RIA, IA). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including a standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include a Lump Sum MGA. Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include: 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview includes several topics: HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-01 (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 68,000,000 EUR, HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-02 (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 16,000,000 EUR, HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-07 (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR, HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-11 (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 21,000,000 EUR, HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-12 (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 21,000,000 EUR, and HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-13 (HORIZON-CSA) with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR. All topics are single-stage, with a planned opening date of December 18, 2025, and a deadline of April 14, 2026.

Partner search announcements are available, and LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated in the topic header.

Support is available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and Partner Search.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to foster innovation in energy-efficient, software-defined electric vehicles. It encourages projects that integrate hardware and software solutions, leverage AI, and align with European automotive standards and initiatives. The call aims to improve user experience, reduce costs, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable practices in the automotive industry, contributing to the broader goal of zero-emission road transport. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and applicants should carefully review the guidelines and conditions outlined in the call documents and related annexes.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the Horizon Europe program and the nature of Innovation Actions (IA) and Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), eligible applicants typically include: universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities in the relevant fields. Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) are also mentioned, which suggests that entities involved in coordination and support activities are also eligible.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. The call includes both HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), as well as HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and nature of Horizon Europe projects, particularly Innovation Actions and Research and Innovation Actions, a consortium of multiple applicants is highly probable. The Partner Search announcements also suggest that consortia are expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is for EU member states and associated countries, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The text also mentions that 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.

Target Sector: The program targets the following sectors: climate, energy, mobility, road transport, electric vehicles (EVs), software-defined vehicles (SDVs), automotive, AI, and related technologies.

Mentioned Countries: The text refers to EU member states and associated countries, as well as non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding. No specific countries are named, but the geographic scope is primarily European, with potential participation from other countries under specific conditions.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the type of action. Innovation Actions (IA) typically focus on demonstration and validation, while Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) focus on research and development. The call aims to demonstrate energy-efficient, electric Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and test vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionalities, suggesting a focus on demonstration and validation activities.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic:
HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-01: €68,000,000 (around €34,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-02: €16,000,000 (around €16,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-07: €10,000,000 (around €5,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-11: €21,000,000 (around €10,500,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-12: €21,000,000 (around €10,500,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-13: €2,000,000 (around €2,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the MOBILITY pillar, focuses on "Energy-efficient software-defined EVs (2ZERO Partnership)". It seeks to advance the development and demonstration of electric Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) with improved energy efficiency, vehicle-to-grid integration, and sustainability. The call includes Innovation Actions (IA) and Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), targeting a range of activities from research and development to demonstration and validation. Projects are expected to contribute to the European Partnership ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO). The call encourages collaboration with the Software-defined Vehicle (SDV) initiative under the Chips JU and the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA). Eligible applicants include a variety of organizations, including universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises, primarily from EU member states and associated countries. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with varying amounts allocated to different topics within the call. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a planned opening date of 18 December 2025 and a deadline of 14 April 2026. The projects should address aspects such as novel propulsion and chassis systems, compatibility with high-level software and physical systems, software interfaces for energy efficiency and vehicle-to-grid functionalities, and solutions for minimizing energy use while meeting user expectations.