Horizon Europe European Union
Neutral-Atom Platform Technologies
This action aims to establish European leadership in neutral-atom quantum simulation and digital quantum computing by delivering: • Fully programmable industry-ready quan…
Horizon Europe · European Union
Demonstration of zero emission coaches and buses in long distance operations (2ZERO Partnership)
Opens 15 Dec 2026
The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 1 award of €13.5 million, from a total budget of €13.5 million. Applications close on 14 Apr 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.
- Deadline
- 14 Apr 2027 (in 150 days)
- Opens
- 15 Dec 2026
- Grant amount
- €13.5 million per project
- Funding rate
- 70% for companies, 100% for non-profits Standard rule for this programme; the call can differ.
- Total budget
- €13.5 million
- Expected awards
- 1
- Type of action
- HORIZON Innovation Actions · HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based
- Likely applicant types
- Companies, SMEs / start-ups, Non-profits, Universities & research, Public bodies From source categories or programme rules; the call decides.
- Funder
- Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
- Reference
- HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-04
- Call
- HORIZON-CL5-2027-03
- Last checked
- 14 Nov 2026
Expected outcome
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
• Integration of the results of the demonstrations in regular operation of passenger transport operators, in long distance operations. Accelerated replication of this integration, beyond original demo partners, using specific recommendations and sharing of best practices
• Reliable operation of long distance zero emission buses and coaches in the EU.
• Improved comfort and inter-modality for long distance people mobility services.
• Demonstrated innovative zero emission solutions for long distance people mobility in a holistic approach taking net congestions challenges and charging solutions into account.
Scope
Zero emission buses for urban and sub-urban use are successfully implemented in Europe. This has addressed the need to improve air quality, reduce noise and innovate people mobility. Yet there are limitations due to range, vehicle weight and available charging infrastructure to further extend zero emission vehicles in more energy demanding long-distance (ranging from regional, national to transnational) people mobility that needs to be addressed. There is a need to further develop zero-emission solutions where vehicle weight and energy demand are challenges.
Proposed actions are expected to address all of the following aspects:
• Develop sustainable and affordable, long-distance zero emission people mobility solutions for different areas and regions with new and viable business cases based on new operation models and smart management of fleets and of coaches and buses.
• Test and apply concepts, tools and models with direct involvement of European bus/coach providers and operators to speed up deployment. Include the transition from long-distance to urban, in intermodal hubs and with park-and ride.
Read the full text
• Demonstrate using at least 5 coaches and buses in several operational routes in the EU and/or in corridors segments in different Member States and/or Associated Countries, focussing on long-distance operation patterns (average ≥500 km in extra-urban scenarios, in one or more routing).
• Demonstrations must cover aspects such as planning, optimised charging/refuelling schedules, passenger experience, driving time regulations, cross-border trips, charging solutions and impacts on the grid. Replication, recommendations and sharing of best practices shall be part of the demonstrations, as well as the development of new business models and the analysis of remaining legal barriers.
• Develop shared charging solutions that can be used for multiple operators and other vehicle types. Both technical and operational issues must be addressed, as well as “rush hour” at charging stations, balancing demand and supply of energy. The use of charging solutions and shared charging hubs by a variety of mobility and transport operators must be explored, also incorporating seasonal effects and operational demands.
• Based on user needs, develop flexibility in interior design to enhance travel comfort, safety and user experience, thus aiming at making it more appealing and inclusive to use this mode of transport.
• Leverage on other 2Zero projects related to Buses and HDV should be considered. [1]
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.
Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 7-8 by the end of the project – see…
Who can apply
Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule).
Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.
Timing
Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-04-14. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).
How to apply
- Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
- Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
- Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries (Horizon Europe standard rule; Türkiye is associated). Confirm in the topic conditions.
- Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
- Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.
From the call text
- Who can apply
- Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
- Company stage
- Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
- Single applicant or consortium
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
- Where applicants must be based
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
- Where to apply
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
Where these facts come from
| Fact | Value | How we know | Taken from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | 14 April 2027 “Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-04-14. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).” | official data field | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Amount per applicant | Unknown — not stated in the source we hold | unknown | — |
| Total budget | €13.5 million | official data field | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Funding rate | 70% for companies, 100% for non-profits | programme standard rule | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Who can apply | Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule). | programme standard rule | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Where to apply | Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route. | read from the official text | 15 Nov 2026 |
Official sources
Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.
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