Funding for mobility and logistics

It can be, but it depends heavily on the scheme, the vehicle type, the business location and the intended use. Vehicles are generally not subsidised outright, only where they form part of an eligible investment, infrastructure or transition 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: under many schemes, the application has to be submitted before vehicles are bindingly ordered or contracts are signed.

For investment and infrastructure schemes, a project generally counts as started as soon as a binding order is placed or a supply or service contract is concluded, not only at delivery, registration, installation or the start of construction. Placing binding orders or commissioning work before submission can forfeit the entitlement.

For innovation and R&D projects, what more often matters is whether the eligible development work has already begun. Preparatory work 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, however, count as the start of the project.

Where exactly the line sits depends on the scheme. Before any binding commission or the start of a development project, therefore, check which rules apply.

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 schemes, while charging points, installations, vehicles or site infrastructure tend to fall under investment or infrastructure schemes.

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