The European Commission released a call for proposals under the Battery Booster Facility, offering loans without interest of as much as €1.5 billion to promote the development of projects for the production of battery cells within the European Economic Area.

The Innovation Fund, which uses revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System, is funding the facility. Applications are open till 30 September 2026.

The Battery Booster facility was set up in June 2026 under the Battery Booster strategy. It will speed up the industrial implementation of batteries, bolster the battery cell manufacturing projects capacity of Europe, and promote the development of a robust European battery value chain.

It is worth noting that the facility offers interest-free loans to projects that qualify for the manufacturing of battery cells in the crucial ramp-up stage between pre-series production and full commercial operation. Closing the financing gap at this stage will allow innovative projects to increase their output, draw in private investment, and bring forward new manufacturing capabilities to Europe.

All suitable battery cell manufacturing projects in the European Economic Area can apply. Projects ought to focus on battery cell manufacturing for electric vehicle applications, be within the ramp-up stage at the commencement of the call, be the very first full commercial-scale production project when it comes to electric vehicle battery cells in the world for the applicant, and have a planned yearly capacity for production of a minimum of 10 GWh. Successful applicants could get loans with no interest of as much as 60% of eligible costs, with an upper limit of €500m per project.

Applications will be evaluated against the award criteria outlined in the call for proposals, covering both technical and financial maturity and the benefit that the project brings to the European battery infrastructure.