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HORIZON EUROPE TOPIC · Cluster 5 · Climate, Energy and Mobility

Fire prevention and mitigation for EVs in confined areas (2ZERO Partnership)

HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-06 — the expected outcomes as checkable statements, what evaluators look for in this topic, and the conditions that shape the proposal.

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ForthcomingIA · lump sumDeadline 14 April 2027around EUR 8 million per project

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TopicHORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-06
StatusForthcoming
CallHORIZON-CL5-2027-03 — MOBILITY
DestinationAchieving sustainable, inclusive, and competitive transport modes (2026-27)
Type of actionInnovation Actions · lump sum
Opening15 December 2026
Deadline14 April 2027
Budgetaround EUR 8 million per project · 1 project expected · EUR 8 million in total
TRL at the endTRL 6
Part B page limit45 pages (standard application form; check your call)
TemplateWork Programme 2026–2027 application form

Expected outcomes

Projects should contribute to all of the expected outcomes. The topic says: “Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:”

  1. EO1 Standardised fire risk assessment for EVs’ fire hazards in constrained spaces and areas such as underground/ built-in parking lots, garages, ferryboats and depots with and without charging facilities and during mono- or bidirectional charging.
  2. EO2 Innovative on-board and/or off-board affordable fire-detection, suppression, and containment measures and techniques.
  3. EO3 Standardised fire protocols and open evaluation frameworks.
  4. EO4 Enhanced public perception of fire safety across all EV categories.

Expected impacts named in the destination

The wider, long-term effects the destination seeks. Your outcomes feed them; they are not project deliverables.

  1. EI1 Accelerated uptake of a zero-tailpipe emission ecosystem, with interoperable technological solutions developed at system level (vehicles, infrastructure, user and energy grid) that support the global competitiveness of the EU transport and mobility system.
  2. EI2 Zero-tailpipe emission mobility solutions developed that are affordable, efficient, user-friendly, inclusive, safe and circular with concepts and technologies that are easy to deploy, considering needs, behaviours and socio-economic conditions of all end-users.
  3. EI3 Clean mobility solutions for a climate neutral and environmentally friendly and zero pollution mobility with a higher level of circularity.
  4. EI4 Increased responsiveness of zero tailpipe emission vehicles and systems to diverse societal interests and concerns.
  5. EI5 Enable breakthrough technologies and innovations that will contribute to the design (addressing also eco-design and circularity principles), manufacturing, maintenance and operations of new generation aircrafts, also powered by renewable energy and sustainable aviation fuels, for a competitive and clean EU aviation ecosystem (including airports).
  6. EI6 Derisk and accelerate the introduction of new digital technologies (with emphasis on AI) at all levels in the industrial aviation ecosystem, while addressing all safety-related issues in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
  7. EI7 Higher autonomy range in electric and hybrid vessels.
  8. EI8 Uptake of renewable and low carbon fuels and improved knowledge on the suitability of innovative renewable and low carbon fuels and other energy carriers for waterborne transport.
  9. EI9 Support the objectives of the European Port Strategy and Waterborne Industrial Strategy, contributing the role of ports as energy hubs, improving efficiency and safety through digitalization, improving the resilience and security of the transport network, as well as increasing the competitiveness of the industrial and technology EU capabilities.
  10. EI10 Significant reduction of emissions from large vessels due to the merging of energy efficiency and renewable and low carbon fuels.
  11. EI11 Sustainability of waterborne transport by design, considering air and water pollution, circularity and life-cycle assessments in shipbuilding.
  12. EI12 Improved safety of seafarers, port workers and the environment.

What evaluators will look for in this topic

Expected outcomes

  • Projects should contribute to all of the expected outcomes.
  • For each outcome (EO1 to EO4), name who will use or adopt your results (a specific group, not “industry” or “society”), how they get them, and the indicator that shows the change, with baseline, target and date.
  • Use the topic's own words for each outcome, so the evaluator can tick it off.

What the scope asks for

Evaluators check the proposal against these sentences of the scope. Answer each one visibly, in the call's own words.

  • “Proposed actions are expected to address all of the following aspects:.”
  • “This topic requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.”
  • “The topic is open to international collaboration, and the funded project are expected to seek synergies with the Sustainable Transport Forum and with the EV TCP Task 49.”

Conditions that shape the proposal

  • Part B, sections 1–3: 45 pages (standard application form). Text beyond the limit is not read; tables and figures count.
  • Lump sum: the budget is fixed per work package and paid when each work package is completed. Every work package needs activities and deliverables an evaluator can verify, and the effort must match the money.
  • TRL: the topic expects TRL 6 by the end of the project. State where you start and the evidence for it.
  • Innovation action: evaluators expect a plausible path to commercialisation and named first users or customers.

Impact pathway and traps

  • The topic asks for social sciences and humanities (SSH) expertise. Evaluators look for SSH partners with a real role in the methodology, not a token task.
  • Standardisation is mentioned. Name the committees or bodies and the partner who engages with them.
  • The topic expects cooperation with other projects or initiatives. Reserve effort and budget for it in the work plan.
  • Keep outputs, outcomes and impacts apart: what you deliver, what changes when others use it, and the long-term effect.
  • For each destination impact you claim, show which of your outcomes feeds it. Destination impacts are long-term effects, not project deliverables.
  • Name the barriers outside the project (regulation, markets, user behaviour) that could block uptake, and what you will do if they do.
  • Section 2.3 (the summary canvas) is optional on this call; the old split into scientific, economic and societal impact is no longer required.
The scope, as published

The overall fire safety risks associated with Electric Vehicles (EVs) are substantially lower compared to those of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. However, public concerns and perceptions about EV fire safety may still persist. This necessitates a thorough examination and addressing of potential causes of EV fire to alleviate any remaining worries. This necessitates a thorough examination and addressing of potential causes of EV fire to alleviate any remaining worries.. Proposed actions are expected to address all of the following aspects: Development of the most comprehensive database about fire accidents involving all EV categories at the European level. Mitigation measures and solutions in case of thermal runaway of batteries, if not prevented in the first place, by appropriate design or by active measures to effectively avoid open fire and its possible progression. A clear recognition of EV risks by improved on-board diagnosis and real-time monitoring, leading to early warning and to appropriate countermeasures. Development of innovative and affordable fire detection, prevention and optionally suppression solutions for constrained spaces and areas such as underground/ built-in parking lots, garages, ferryboats and depots with and without charging facilities and during mono- or bidirectional charging. This can include e.g. measures for thermal runaway, fire-resistant systems/materials, easy and safe access to the battery for removal from the vehicle. Development of firefighting protocols to deal with EVs on fire in narrow situations, essential for quick and effective intervention, including integration with existing safety standards (e.g., ISO, NFPA) to ensure smooth adoption and compatibility. Social awareness for a transparent, informed public perception of the safety level of all EV categories, also with the development of a European based platform for dissemination and information with direct involvement of main stakeholders. This topic requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. 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. The topic is open to international collaboration, and the funded project are expected to seek synergies with the Sustainable Transport Forum and with the EV TCP Task 49.

Technology readiness, as published

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. The focus of this topic is on vehicles in categories, M1, N1 and HDV including L-category vehicles as far as commercially available with 400V-AC or DC charging connectors In particular on fire safety issues, see e.g. “Guidance of fire safety for electric vehicles parked and…

Other topics in HORIZON-CL5-2027-03

Source and attribution

Topic text from the official topic page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, retrieved 19 October 2026. © European Union, reused under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU (CC BY 4.0). Changes: the expected outcomes and impacts are split into numbered statements, long passages are shortened, and the evaluator checklist is GrantWise's own commentary. Your call and the Work Programme always win; check them before you submit. GrantWise is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the European Commission.