Government to provide EUR 5.5 million to support transition towards electric heavy transport

On 3 February 2022, the government issued a decree on government grants available in 2022-2025 to support the transition towards electronic heavy transport. The decree will enter into force on 15 February 2022.

A total of EUR 5 million has been allocated in the budget for development work associated with the transition to electric heavy transport. Grants will be financed from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility with the aim of driving productivity growth and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with Finland's Sustainable Growth Programme.

The purpose of the government grant is to make the heavy-duty transport sector better equipped to utilise electricity as a source of power. It also aims to spur innovation that will generate business and export opportunities. Grants will be awarded for development projects in service chains that support electric heavy transport, and for boosting the sector's ecosystems, or business networks.

Grants support the objectives of the Sustainable Growth Programme for the Transport Sector

On 30 June 2021, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Transport and Communications published the Sustainable Growth Programme for the Transport Sector for 2021-2023. The programme aims to promote innovation and international growth in the sector through sustainable solutions.

The government grants to be made available will provide opportunities for research, experiments and innovations in the electric heavy transport service chain, and encourage the creation of business ecosystems and related activities in the sector in accordance with the objectives of the growth programme.

What's next?

The decree on discretionary government grants will enter into force on 15 February 2022. Grants may be awarded to companies that are registered and operate in Finland, and to research organisations. Support is also available for building and operating ecosystems in the transport sector.

A call for applications will be launched in spring 2022. Grants will be awarded by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, which will provide more information at a later date.

Inquiries

Helinä Teittinen, Senior Officer, tel. +358 50 477 0519, helina.teittinen(at)gov.fi (until 10 February 2022)

Tiia Orjasniemi, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 50 441 5730, tiia.orjasniemi(at)gov.fi

Emil Asp, Director of Unit, tel. +358 40 509 9757, emil.asp(at)gov.fi