RFAs: Large-Scale HD-BEV Demonstrations for Long-Haul Logistics (2ZERO Partnership)

Increased percentage of Heavy Duty Battery Electric Vehicles (HD-BEV) tested and used in operations by the logistics and transport operators involved in the demonstrations, compared to the current fleets, demonstrated efficient integration of HD-BEV in logistics fleets and operations along several European corridor segments, building further on the initial fleet developed in the large-scale demonstrations and across several types of transport operators, reinforced ecosystem connecting involved parties as fleet operators, charge providers, road authorities at local, regional, national and European levels – also reinforcing the industrial HD-BEV value chain in the EU. The implementation of zero-emission vehicles for long-distance heavy-duty freight transport is critical to meeting European targets for reducing greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Accelerating HD-BEV integration in logistics fleets requires identifying and addressing the remaining barriers and challenges, which include vehicle technology limitations, digital tools, knowledge gaps, user awareness, stakeholder engagement, energy availability, charging infrastructure requirements such as depot and Megawatt Charging System (MCS), permit processes, and grid connection services. Challenges for logistics companies, including smaller operators, need to be resolved to facilitate adoption.

Proposed actions are expected to perform large-scale demonstrations of HD-BEVs equipped with MCS, reaching up to a hundred market-ready and next-generation vehicles in logistics fleet operations. The demonstrations must involve multiple transport operators, including SMEs and microenterprises, focus on long-haul operations averaging 600 km or more for durations exceeding twelve months, and cover at least four European corridor segments across four Member States or Associated Countries. Vehicles should be equipped with MCS connectors wherever possible. This topic is implemented under HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-01 – HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a total indicative budget of €68,000,000 and expected contributions of around €34,000,000 per project.

Projects should identify and address barriers and challenges for deploying HD-BEV fleets in long-distance logistics operations, considering factors such as battery degradation and seasonal weather conditions. Demonstrations should integrate digital tools using AI, operational data sets, and logistics models to facilitate increased HD-BEV adoption.

Proposals are expected to ensure synergies with existing publicly accessible charging infrastructure funded under CEF or other national/regional schemes, and to assess depot, destination, truck-stop, and overnight charging methods, power levels, and business models with cost and time optimisation. Only depot charging infrastructure can be partially funded, including related innovative business models such as smart, bidirectional V2X solutions and potential second-life battery applications.

Projects must develop a competition-compliant ecosystem for sharing fleet management data, including data labs with open and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable) data, supporting dissemination of best practices, capacity building, and the development of AI-based fleet management tools. Demonstrations should define and test use cases for HD-BEV fleets in cross-border logistics operations and develop collaborative business models to shift freight transport demand toward zero-emission solutions.

Proposals are encouraged to establish synergies with previous and ongoing HD-BEV and charging systems projects, as well as related forums, platforms, and programmes such as the European Clean Corridors Initiative. Projects should map policies and legislation supporting affordable HD-BEV transition and identify remaining legal and regulatory barriers encountered during demonstrations.

For more information, visit European Commission.