Innovative Batteries for eVehicles

Deadline: 17/12/2020

The challenge is to develop a safe and sustainable battery for electric-vehicles through the development of new materials and chemistries making use of abundant, sustainable low cost materials, which are easily available in Europe.

Solutions are required to provide the same or better performance than vehicles with internal combustion engines and to be capable of recharging the electric vehicle within a time equivalent to fill a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel tank.

Prize value

10 millions of euros.

This prize will

foster knowledge, innovation and competitiveness in e-vehicle battery/ energy storage technologies
enhance the European manufacturing base for e-vehicle batteries
strengthen the European Industrial value chain (e.g. through exploitation or synergies with existing European industrial infrastructures)
strengthen European value added in the supply and knowledge of advanced materials and chemistries for batteries
encourage electro-mobility, opening up new markets and incentivising technological innovations
enhance employment prospects along the entire electro-mobility value chain
contribute to a significant drop in CO2 and NOx emissions in line with global environmental policies

Expected results

A prototype battery with fast repowering and long-distance range, high recyclability, and long life cycle.

Eligibility and award criteria

The contest is open to any legal entity (including natural persons) or group of legal entities established in an EU Member State or in a country associated to Horizon 2020.

The prize will be awarded, after closure of the contest, to the contestant(s) who in the opinion of the jury demonstrates a solution that best meets the following cumulative criteria for a prototype battery (demonstrated and tested in adequate environment).

provides high standards for safety, sustainability and recyclability
provides the same experience and user convenience, in terms of range and time required to recharge, as a conventional gasoline/diesel car
has whole-life costs (in terms of battery materials and its functionality) equivalent or better than gasoline/diesel car
demonstrates reliable power delivery without significant loss of performance for an economically acceptable life time (power delivery to be demonstrated for a life time higher than batteries currently available)
ensures that other performance criteria (car acceleration, safety, etc.) are maintained in comparison to a combustion engine powered vehicle
demonstrates a significant advance in new material technologies while avoiding dependence on import materials (e.g. expensive, rare, and unsustainable materials)