News & events

On July 3, 2025, the European Commission announced the launch of a €852 million public funding package to support six large-scale battery cell manufacturing projects across Europe. This initiative, part of the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) framework, is a significant milestone in the EU’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in clean energy technologies. It strengthens Europe’s position in the global battery market while directly complementing the primary objective of the H2IF project: driving forward innovation in hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyser technologies.

The newly funded battery projects aim to transform electric vehicle cell manufacturing through advanced high-performance battery designs, sustainable and digitalised production processes, and robust circular economy practices. By returning important manufacturing steps to Europe, the EU tackles supply chain vulnerabilities and enhances its resilience in the face of growing international competition. This move reflects the motivations behind the H2IF project, which is also committed to establishing a strong European foundation for hydrogen technology, while reducing import dependencies and promoting innovation in the field.

For the H2IF project, this initiative signals a remarkable opportunity to align efforts across clean transport technologies. While batteries and hydrogen serve different parts of the mobility ecosystem, it is clear that they share common challenges: the need for sustainable production processes, supply chain security, and a strong focus on circularity. The battery projects’ focus on resource-efficient manufacturing and recycling resonates with H2IF’s approach to developing sustainable hydrogen solutions and opening avenues for cross-sector collaboration. In particular, advancements in materials science, industrial scale-up, and environmental performance metrics in battery production continue to be highly relevant.

Moreover, the scale and ambition of the EU’s battery investment highlight the importance of maintaining momentum in hydrogen technology development. The industrial and regulatory frameworks that enable such large-scale public-private partnerships in the battery sector provide valuable lessons for hydrogen. The H2IF project will closely monitor these developments, seeking synergies in innovation pathways, manufacturing technologies, and ecosystem-building approaches, following a shared vision of establishing Europe as a global leader in clean mobility technologies.

The €852 million announcement reinforces the European Commission’s broader goal of climate neutrality and industrial leadership in the clean energy transition. For the H2IF project, it confirms the strategic relevance of its mission and the importance of continued collaboration at the European level. By aligning hydrogen innovation with parallel efforts in battery technology, Europe can build a resilient, integrated, and sustainable energy landscape for future generations. Surely, these combined efforts underline Europe’s commitment to leading the global shift towards clean, secure, and competitive energy solutions.