Cybersecure and resilient road e-mobility ecosystem (2ZERO Partnership)

The main goal of this opportunity is to develop a cybersecure and resilient road e-mobility ecosystem. It focuses on creating secure-by-design architectures for e-mobility systems, performing threat analysis and risk assessments, and implementing robust hardware and software modules. Priority areas include advanced cryptographic solutions, compliance with international standards, deployment of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and the use of digital twins for risk mitigation. The initiative also emphasizes real-life demonstrations of cybersecurity for vehicles and charging infrastructure. Eligible countries are those listed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme, with some provisions for certain non-EU participants.

• Promote a harmonised understanding of circular economy principles across the entire automotive value chain in road transport and beyond.

• Boost Europe’s resource sovereignty, reduce environmental footprint, and reinforce competitiveness across the full life-cycle of automotive products.

• Define requirements and boundaries for a European circular economy ecosystem in the automotive sector, possibly informing future standard-setting.

• Support adoption of product passports and digital twins to optimize reuse, remanufacturing, and automotive recycling practices.

• Develop a roadmap for European lighthouse pilot projects to drive fast and noticeable industrial transformation towards automotive circularity.

• Map stakeholders and engage industrial, regional, and other key actors throughout the automotive value chain, ensuring full involvement.

Examples:

• A consortium from several eligible European countries develops a secure communication protocol for e-vehicle charging stations.
• A project team designs a digital twin to simulate and mitigate cybersecurity threats in electric vehicle networks.
• A group of partners implements a PKI-based authentication system for smart charging infrastructure.

• Personnel costs for researchers and technical staff
• Purchase of hardware and equipment for cybersecurity modules
• Software development and licensing fees
• Consultancy and subcontracting for specialized cybersecurity tasks
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings and demonstrations
• Costs related to testing and validation in real-life environments
• Dissemination and communication activities
• Training and capacity-building for stakeholders
• Project management and administrative support
• Indirect costs, if applicable under lump sum rules

Restrictions: All expenses must fit within the lump sum funding model and follow the detailed guidelines provided in the Horizon Europe Work Programme.

• Budget for this Call: 10.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1

• Must be a consortium of at least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries, with at least one from an EU Member State.
• All participants must be based in EU or Horizon Europe associated countries and show financial and operational capacity.
• Project must align with 2ZERO Partnership goals by developing secure-by-design architecture for EVs, chargers, and service providers.
• Must include threat analysis, risk assessment, penetration testing, and real-world demonstration.
• Proposals must comply with standards like ISO 21434, ISO 15118-20, and UNECE R155. Standard Horizon Europe ethics and legal rules apply.