Data-driven circular economy for e-mobility ecosystem (2ZERO Partnership)

What is this call about?

The call funds innovation projects that make electric vehicle drivetrains and charging infrastructure more circular and that use component data and digital product passports for life-cycle management. Projects report to the 2ZERO partnership.

What does this call fund?

Scope

The topic is a Horizon Innovation Action under the 2ZERO partnership on zero-emission road transport. It covers two areas and is open to both light-duty and heavy-duty electric vehicles.

Area A: circular economy for EV powertrains and infrastructure

• Monitoring the health and remaining useful life of individual drivetrain components and charging infrastructure, and assessing the preferred circularity strategy.
• New design concepts and processes, such as design for automated dismantling, to extend component lifetime and reduce dependence on critical raw materials.
• Design criteria, standardisation and market analysis to support reuse, repair and refurbishment.
• Analysis of the economic and environmental sustainability of drivetrain performance and charging infrastructure.

Area B: data-driven life-cycle management of EVs

• Real-life demonstration of track-and-trace concepts for representative EV components, such as power electronic converters and electric motor parts.
• Measurement of real-world operational loads for life-cycle management and assessment.
• Open, interface-based data management for the use phase and end of life, shared securely across value chains.
• Product passports based on digital twins, linked to existing passports such as the battery passport. Data and tools should follow FAIR principles.

Expected outcomes

Lower environmental impact of EV drivetrains and charging infrastructure, better repair, refurbishment and reuse of components, an interoperable circularity passport at vehicle level, and a proven business case for data-driven product life-cycle management. Activities are expected to reach TRL 6-7 by the end of the project.

What are proposals expected to do?

• Proposals are expected to address all research activities listed for the area they target (Area A or Area B).

When is the deadline?

14 April 2027 (160 days)

14 April 2027 (single-stage submission). Planned opening date: 15 December 2026.