EU: Commission launches battery‑sector call, up to 1.5 billion in loans

Brussels – The European Commission today (28 July) launched a call for proposals under the Battery Booster Facility, making up to 1.5 billion euros available in interest-free loans to support battery cell manufacturing projects across the European Economic Area (EEA). The programme is funded through the Innovation Fund, using revenue from the EU Emissions Trading System. Applications may be submitted until 30 September 2026. 

The Battery Booster Facility was established in June 2026 as part of the Battery Booster strategy. It will help accelerate the industrial roll-out of batteries, strengthen Europe’s battery production capacity and support the development of a resilient European value chain. “The facility provides interest-free loans to eligible battery cell manufacturing projects during the critical ramp-up phase between pre-series production and full commercial operation. By addressing financing needs at this stage, the facility will help innovative projects scale up production, attract private investment, and bring new manufacturing capacity to Europe faster,” the Commission said.

 The call is open to eligible battery cell production projects located within the European Economic Area. Projects must focus on battery cell manufacturing suitable for electric-vehicle applications, be in the ramp-up phase at the opening of the call, represent the applicant’s first full commercial-scale production project for electric-vehicle battery cells globally, and have a planned annual production capacity of at least 10 GWh. Successful applicants can receive interest-free loans covering up to 60 per cent of eligible costs, with a maximum of 500 million euros per project.

The Commission clarified that applications will be assessed against the award criteria set out in the call for proposals, including technical and financial maturity, and the project’s added value for the European battery ecosystem.