Funding for mobility and logistics

It can be, but it depends heavily on the programme, vehicle type, location and intended use. Vehicles are generally not funded across the board, only where they form part of an eligible investment, infrastructure or transformation project, for example low-emission drivetrains, on-site charging or refuelling infrastructure, or specific applications in freight and passenger transport.

Ignite Group assesses such projects case by case and supports the suitable route where the purchase fits a sound funding logic. One point matters throughout: under many programmes the application has to be in before vehicles are ordered or contracts are signed.

For investment and infrastructure programmes a project generally counts as started at the point of a binding order or the conclusion of a supply or service contract, not at delivery, registration, installation or the start of construction. Ordering or commissioning before the application can forfeit the claim.

For innovation and R&D projects, what matters is usually whether the eligible development work has already begun. Preparatory steps such as concept sketches, market or feasibility checks, partner search or internal project planning can be harmless. Binding development contracts, paid external R&D services or the start of the actual development work can count as the start of the project.

Where exactly the line sits depends on the programme. The applicable rules should therefore be checked before any binding commitment or the start of a development project.

Where it involves genuine development work with technical uncertainty, it can qualify. That applies for example to new optimisation logic, complex data integration, real-time control or scalable platform approaches. Simply introducing, configuring or using an existing standard solution generally does not qualify.

It can be possible, but usually not through the same instrument and not for the same costs. In practice the development and infrastructure elements are separated cleanly: R&D work, software development or technical validation can be assessed through innovation programmes, while charging points, equipment, vehicles or site infrastructure fall under investment or infrastructure programmes.

What decides it are the combination rules of the specific programme, state aid limits and a clear cost delimitation. We therefore structure such projects early into development, investment and infrastructure elements, before applications are made or contracts placed.