Methods of implementation and forms of support
Article 5
1. The Facility shall constitute a financial instrument in accordance with Title X of the Financial Regulation and shall be implemented under direct management pursuant to Article 62(1), first subparagraph, point (a), of the Financial Regulation. 2. Support under the Facility shall take the form of interest-free loans for projects concerning battery cell manufacturing facilities suitable for electric vehicle applications and in the ramp-up phase of operation. 3. It may also be combined with support from other Union programmes or national public support, provided that this does not lead to the combined support exceeding the total amount of eligible costs as defined in paragraph 5 and complies with State aid rules where applicable. 4. The amount of support awarded under the Facility shall not exceed the lowest of the following amounts: (i) 60 % of the eligible costs, as defined in paragraph 5; or (ii) a nominal amount of EUR 500 million per final recipient. 5. Eligible costs shall be limited to costs incurred: (a) exclusively in relation to the ramp-up phase; (b) after the date of the opening of the call for proposals and until 48 months following the signature of the loan agreement referred to in Article 9. Eligible costs may include personnel costs, costs of acquiring and processing materials, energy and supplies, contracted works and services, and capital expenditures within the project. 6. Eligible costs shall not include the following: (a) amounts used to reimburse other loans, including from loans banks or other financial intermediaries; (b) dividend payments; (c) payments of variable remuneration or other comparable forms of compensation.