Closed

Configurable Fuel Cell Powertrain for Non-Road Mobile Machinery

HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions

Basic Information

Identifier: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-03-01
Programme: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025
Programme Period: 2021 - 2027
Status: Closed (31094503)
Opening Date: January 30, 2025
Deadline: April 23, 2025
Deadline Model: single-stage
Budget: €184,500,000
Min Grant Amount: €1,000,000
Max Grant Amount: €1,000,000
Expected Number of Grants: 1
Keywords: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-03-01HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025Hydrogen

Description

Expected Outcome:

To achieve the ambitious goals of the Fit-for-55 and REPowerEU Plans, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributed to all segments of transport is key. In this endeavour, Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) vehicles also require alternative designs and technologies, as current interal combstin engines (ICE) powered NRMMs remain significant contributors to European GHG emissions. Particularly, hydrogen powered fuel cells (FC) are an attractive option when longer operability or fast fuelling are desired.

NRMMs have various specific requirements depending on their end-use (agriculture, ports, mining, logistic centres, construction, etc.), thereby constraining the dimensions, operation and architecture of their powertrain. More specifically, NRMMs widely vary in size and power level requirements, including power use for non-propulsion purposes. Additionally, a wide range of power levels and autonomy requirements make it difficult for NRMM manufacturers to adopt an appropriate FC solution without significant investments of time and money. An adequate degree of hybridisation (including battery packs), the selection of optimal fuel tank sizes and an efficient refuelling alternative are key challenges for deployment of FCs and hydrogen for NRMM applications. Moreover, NRMM applications are characterised by temporary use in areas with limited infrastructure and weak or no grid connection. Finally, both NRMM power train building blocks and refuelling infrastructure need to work in harsh environments, including extreme temperature, salt, fog, vibration, dust etc.

To support the decarbonisation of NRMMs, configurable FC/battery hybrid powertrains specifically suited for these vehicles, addressing different power levels, hybridisation strategies and autonomy requirements (including reliable, fast and safe refuelling), will be required in the future. As such, individual building blocks which can be assembled into a functioning powertrain by the NRMM manufacturer without in-house FC expertise should be developed.

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

Extend the deployment of hydrogen and FC based powertrains to NRMM applications, thus establishing and consolidating a European supply chain for FC powertrains and components;
Validation of safe hydrogen FC solutions and systems in demanding NRMM applications, contributing to building a European supply chain for FC powertrains and components;
Proving efficiency and applicability of hydrogen FC solutions in NRMM applications via necessary improvements gained at system level;
Provide a complete calculation of total cost of ownership (TCO) and comparison with incumbent ICE and battery-based technologies;
Building confidence in FC technology and hydrogen refuelling for all of the off-road industry sectors and thus accelerating the market uptake;
Identification of suitable solutions to any legal or standards barriers likely to prevent the successful introduction of hydrogen FC technology in the various NRMM fields of application;
Support the development of next generation, cost competitive commercial/industrial scale Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) systems from EU suppliers for NRMM and potentially other applications.

Project results are expected to contribute to the following 2030 KPIs of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU) Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for heavy duty vehicules:

FC module CAPEX < 100 €/kW (annual production rate greater or equal 25,000 units);
Hydrogen tank (CG H₂) CAPEX < 300 €/kg H₂;
FC stack durability (no harsh environment) > 30,000 hrs;
FC module availability > 98%.

2030 KPIs for NRMM are reported below (ports and agriculture applications: dusty and with high salinity environment):

NRMM FC stack durability: At least 80% of heavy duty on road;
NRMM FC module CAPEX: no more than double the target for heavy duty on road;
NRMM FC module availability: at least 80% of heavy duty on road;
FC module is defined as FC stack plus air supply system, cooling system, internal (electronic control unit (ECU), media manifold and other BOP (recirculation, humidifier, sensors, DC/DC, etc).

Scope:

The topic aims to demonstrate a configurable fuel cell powertrain capable of being integrated in at least two NRMM applications preferably related to ports or agriculture where one application has a minimum fuel cell power of 200 kW and the other a minimum fuel cell power of 100 kW.

A performance comparison of the fuel cell powertrain with existing technology (i.e. internal combustion engine) should be part of the demonstration and should clearly show fuel cell powertrain advantages.

Furthermore, in the development of the configurable powertrain, the same building blocks should be used but configured in different powertrains with a different form factor or a different power level or a combination of both.

The applications where this NRMM powertrain should be demonstrated include those which are complementary to already funded projects (H2Ports^[1] and H2Mac^[2]), but excluding the same type of mobile machinery which has already been funded. A complementary application may be one that belongs to the same environment (e.g. port) but is not funded by previous projects (e.g. straddle carrier, Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes , etc), and is expected to go beyond the already demonstrated activities.

Consortia should choose the application segment(s) based on an impact analysis (cradle to grave approach) showing the sustainability improvement, like the potential for CO₂ emission reduction, upon the full segment coverage in Europe compared with the already used technology.

In particular, a complete analysis of the market potential for the selected application/s and the corresponding CO₂ emission reduction has to be a deliverable of the project.

Following validation in a relevant environment, the demonstration in a relevant environment should be carried out for at least 2,000 hours of operation of an NRMM specific load profile to show the necessary stack lifetime and powertrain reliability. The demonstration hours may include the idles and stops which are naturally included in the typical NRMM application load profile. The 2,000 hrs demonstration should be done on the powertrain with the largest power output. The other powertrain/s demonstration testing should last at least 1,000 hrs.

Proposals should cover all the following elements:

Develop and/or adapt a kit of building blocks which can be assembled into an easily configurable powertrain, including:
- Fuel cell module/s (compliant with StasHH interface and size standards);Energy management system;
- Power electronics;
- Cooling system;
- Air and fuel management (including appropriate filtration means);
- Optional components for mitigating the effects of harsh environment;
- On-board hydrogen storage and equipment for fast refuelling.
Develop an overarching software and control structure to effectively combine different building blocks into a fully functioning powertrain including batteries for hybrid operation;
Mapping, identifying and disseminating key requirements (operating envelopes, environmental aspects etc.) of different NRMM platforms highlighting those which are in common between them and those which can have an impact on powertrain design and the selection of various building block elements;
Analyse operation data and disseminate specific learnings from the FC and hydrogen based NRMM solution compared to incumbent technologies (fossil fueled internal combustion engines and battery-based technologies);
Developing solutions, including diagnostics and prognostication methods, to mitigate the impact of harsh environments on fuel cell lifetime and powertrain reliability;
Developing strategies and incorporate measures to optimise powertrain efficiency, reliability, and lifetime while considering cleaning and maintenance procedures for all powertrain components;
Select and validate a suitable and flexible refuelling solution compatible with the selected NRMM application and compatible with a wide range of end-users’ requirements; This may be done with a comprehensive study that includes simulation and modelling, techno-economic assessments and even RCS considerations. The technical assessment should consider the special conditions as well in which temporary/mobile solutions would have to operate.
Perform a Sustainable Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) of the NRMM powertrain solution for at least one relevant case study;
Performing a techno-economic assessment to demonstrate the progress toward reducing the powertrain capital cost and identify scale factors which could accelerate this progress.
Adequately address regulatory aspects and contribute to prevailing regulations, codes and standards (RCS) activities.

It is expected that the fuel cell powertrain for NRMM is capable of handling:

Fast transients from idle to full load in repetition;
Dust on the nozzle that could impact the refilling;
Continuous high power for long periods of time.

Consortia for this project should involve at least one NRMM manufacturer, a research institution and a Fuel Cell System integrator.

In addition, proposals should indicate how learnings from the project will be disseminated, in terms of potential spillover effects to segments other than NRMMs, such HD transport, marine, rail, stationary, etc. The development of single components such as the fuel cell stack, battery (cells & packs) and hydrogen tanks are not in the scope of this topic.

For activities developing test protocols and procedures for the performance and durability assessment of electrolysers and fuel cell components proposals should foresee a collaboration mechanism with JRC^[3] (see section 2.2.4.3 "Collaboration with JRC"), in order to support EU-wide harmonisation. Test activities should adopt the already published EU harmonised testing protocols^[4] to benchmark performance and quantify progress at programme level.

For additional elements applicable to all topics please refer to section 2.2.3.2.

Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project - see General Annex B.

The JU estimates that an EU contribution of maximum EUR 5.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.

The conditions related to this topic are provided in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2025 Annual Work Plan and in the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023–2025 which apply mutatis mutandis.

[1] H2Ports funds a yard tractor and a reach stacker, https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/826339

[2] H2MAC funds an excavator and a crusher, https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101137786

[3] https://www.clean-hydrogen.europa.eu/knowledge-management/collaboration-jrc-0_en

[4] https://www.clean-hydrogen.europa.eu/knowledge-management/collaboration-jrc-0/clean-hydrogen-ju-jrc-deliverables_en

View on EU Portal →

Eligibility & Conditions

General conditions

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

Page limit for Innovation Actions: For all Innovation Actions the page limit of the applications are 70 pages.

2. Eligible Countries

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

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.

3. Other Eligibility Conditions

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Additional eligibility condition: Maximum contribution per topic

For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to limit the Clean Hydrogen JU requested contribution mostly for actions performed at high TRL level, including demonstration in real operational environment and with important involvement from industrial stakeholders and/or end users such as public authorities. Such actions are expected to leverage co-funding as commitment from stakeholders. It is of added value that such leverage is shown through the private investment in these specific topics. Therefore, proposals requesting contributions above the amounts specified per each topic below will not be evaluated:

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 8.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 5.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 20.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 9.00 million

Additional eligibility condition: Membership to Hydrogen Europe / Hydrogen Europe Research

For the topics listed below, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to ensure that one partner in the consortium is a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research. This concerns topics targeting actions for large-scale demonstrations, flagship projects and strategic research actions, where the industrial and research partners of the Clean Hydrogen JU are considered to play a key role in accelerating the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies by being closely linked to the Clean Hydrogen JU constituency, which could further ensure full alignment with the SRIA of the JU. This approach shall also ensure the continuity of the work performed within projects funded through the H2020 and FP7, by building up on their experience and consolidating the EU value-chain. In the Call 2025 this applies to: demonstration of efficient electrolysis coupling with variable renewable electricity and/or heat integration, demonstration of innovative hydrogen and solid carbon production from renewable gases/biogenic waste processes, demonstration of scalable ammonia cracking technology, and demonstration of stationary fuel cells in renewable energy communities. This will also apply to the Hydrogen Valley (flagship) topics as they are considered of strategic importance for the European Union ambitions to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys by 2025. For the Hydrogen Valleys topics a large amount of co-investment/cofunding of project participants/beneficiaries including national and regional programmes is expected.

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion

described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds

are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes

are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

STEP (Sovereignty) Seal

For the topics below topics the STEP Seal (so called “Sovereignty Seal” under the STEP Regulation) will be awarded to proposals exceeding all of the evaluation thresholds set out in this Annual Work Programme. The STEP Seal is a label, which aims to increase the visibility of quality projects available for funding and help attract alternative and cumulative funding for quality projects, and simultaneously to provide a potential project pipeline for regional and national programmes

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement

described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].

described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

In addition to the standard provisions, the following specific provisions in the model grant agreement will apply:

1. Lump Sum

This year’s call for proposals will take the form of lump sums as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021- 2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025).

Lump sums will be used across all topics in the Call 2025.

2. Full capitalised costs for purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action

For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, mostly large-scale demonstrators or flagship projects specific equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action (or developed as part of the action tasks) can exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs. This concerns the topics below:

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02

3. Subcontracting

For all topics: an additional obligation regarding subcontracting has been introduced, namely that subcontracted work may only be performed in target countries set out in the call conditions.

The beneficiaries must ensure that the subcontracted work is performed in the countries set out in the call conditions.

The target countries are all Member States of the European Union and all Associated Countries.

4. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), background and results, access rights and rights of use (article 16 and Annex 5 of the Model Grant Agreement (MGA))

An additional information obligation has been introduced for topics including standardisation activities: ‘Beneficiaries must, up to 4 years after the end of the action, inform the granting authority if the results could reasonably be expected to contribute to European or international standards’. These concerns the topics below:

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-01

Specific conditions

described in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2025 Annual Work Programme

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):

Application form templates

Application form - Part B (HE CleanH2 RIA, IA)

Application form - Part B (HE CleanH2 CSA)

Evaluation form templates

Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)

Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)

Guidance

HE Programme Guide

Model Grant Agreements (MGA)

Lump Sum MGA

Call-specific instructions

Detailed budget table (HE LS)

Clean Hydrogen JU - Annual Work Programme 2025 (AWP 2025)

- AWP 2025

Clean Hydrogen JU - Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)

- SRIA Clean Hydrogen JU

Lump Sums Guidance

- Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"

- Comprehensive information on lump sum funding in Horizon Europe

Additional documents:

HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 13. General Annexes

HE Programme Guide

HE Framework Programme 2021/695

HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

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

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

Support & Resources

Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.

Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.

Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.

Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.

National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).

Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding.

IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.

European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues.

CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.

The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.

Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.

Latest Updates

Last Changed: August 8, 2025

CALL UPDATE:

An overview of the evaluation results for the call HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025 is now available. More information can be found in this document: FLASH EVALUATION RESULTS

Last Changed: April 24, 2025

CALL UPDATE: PROPOSAL NUMBERS

Call HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025 has closed on the 23/04/2025.

212 proposals have been submitted.

The breakdown per topic is:

RENEWABLE HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-01: 21 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-02: 10 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-03: 11 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04: 9 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-05: 8 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06: 14 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-07: 15 proposals

HYDROGEN STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-01: 9 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-02: 10 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03: 7 proposals

HYDROGEN END USES: TRANSPORT APPLICATIONS

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-03-01: 9 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-03-02: 7 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-03-03: 7 proposals

HYDROGEN END USES: CLEAN HEAT AND POWER

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01: 19 proposals

CROSS-CUTTING

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-05-01: 7 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-05-02: 8 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-05-03: 6 proposals

HYDROGEN VALLEYS

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01: 16 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02: 19 proposals

Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in August 2025.

Last Changed: April 15, 2025

Notice to Applicants (15/04/2025)

Please note that we will no longer be accepting questions regarding the current call for proposals HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025. We appreciate your interest and encourage you to refer to the published documentation for any remaining clarifications.

Last Changed: April 15, 2025

Errata Notice - Topic HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-05

The correct text for topic HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-05 stipulates:

"Furthermore, project results are expected to contribute to the following KPIs, targeted at co-electrolyser scale, specific for three high temperature co-electrolysis technologies: Oxide and Proton conductive Solid Oxide electrolysers (SOEL, PCCEL) and Molten Carbonate Electrolyser (MCE):

Oxide conductive Solid Oxide electrolysers (SOEL)

Power to syngas efficiency: 0.9 kWLHV /kWe
Degradation in operating conditions: 0.8 %/1000h @1A/cm²
Unit cost: 500 €/kW

Proton Conductive Ceramic electrolysers (PCCEL)

Power to syngas efficiency: 0.9 kWLHV/ kWe
Degradation in operating conditions: 0.8 %/1000h @0.75A/cm²
Unit cost: 500 €/kW

Molten Carbonate electrolysers (MCE)

Power to syngas efficiency: 0.93 kWLHV/ kWe
Degradation in operating conditions: 0.5 %/1000h @0.5A/cm²
Unit cost: 500 €/kW

KPIs are defined for the main high temperature co-electrolysis techniques, derived from the SRIA and from results of previous EU funded projects."

Last Changed: April 3, 2025

Errata Notice – Topic Conditions

We appreciate your attention to this information. Please be advised that the Topic Conditions are provided below, as they were not displayed correctly under each topic. These conditions apply to all topics across the entire call.

We kindly ask you to refer to the information below and in the AWP2025 to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements.