NACE 27.2 – Manufacture of Batteries and Accumulators | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 27.2 covers the manufacture of primary cells (non-rechargeable batteries) and accumulators (rechargeable energy storage). This includes lithium-ion battery packs, lead-acid batteries, fuel-cell components and stationary large-scale storage for grid stabilisation. In a public-procurement context, traction batteries for electric vehicles and stationary storage solutions are particularly relevant.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: April 2026

What does NACE 27.2 cover?

NACE 27.2 (Manufacture of batteries and accumulators) classifies manufacturers of energy storage solutions used for the electromobility of public fleets, the grid stabilisation of municipal energy utilities and the emergency power supply of critical government infrastructure.

Group 27.2 is broken down into the following classes:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 27.2 include municipal fleet operators and municipal utilities, public transport (local-transport companies), the armed forces (vehicles and equipment), federal authorities with UPS requirements and energy utilities as utility contracting authorities.

Public tenders: scope of activity NACE 27.2

The electrification of public fleets — from municipal administrations to the armed forces — makes the procurement of traction batteries and charging technology one of the fastest-growing segments in public procurement.

Typical contract types

• Electric-bus battery systems: traction batteries for electric buses in public transport; often tendered under leasing or battery-rental models
• Municipal e-vehicle fleets: batteries for electric cars, vans and refuse-collection vehicles in municipal fleets
• Stationary energy storage (BESS): large-scale storage for grid stabilisation and buffering of renewable energy for municipal utilities
• UPS battery blocks: replacement and new procurement of battery blocks for uninterruptible power supplies in data centres and government buildings
• Emergency-power and safety systems: batteries for emergency lighting, fire-alarm systems and security systems in public buildings
• Armed-forces energy storage: battery systems for military vehicles, portable energy supply and field-camp operations

Thresholds and procurement procedures

Battery systems are tendered as supply contracts (EU threshold EUR 221,000). Public-transport companies as utility contracting authorities have higher thresholds. For complex battery-supply packages (incl. BMS, maintenance, recycling), the negotiated procedure with prior call for competition is frequently used.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 27.2

The bridge between the NACE classification and the tender search is formed by the CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary), which must be stated in every notice on TED.

Current tenders are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

For whom is NACE 27.2 relevant in procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

Municipal transport companies (KVU) are, as public-transport utility contracting authorities, the largest public buyers of battery systems for electric buses. Municipal utilities procure stationary storage for their networks and as a service for municipalities. Municipal fleet operators procure batteries for service vehicles. The German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) coordinates funding programmes (e.g. KsNI) that indirectly stimulate public battery demand.

Companies and bidders

Manufacturers and suppliers of battery systems must typically provide the following evidence:

• Battery safety certification: UN 38.3 transport tests, IEC 62619 (stationary storage), ISO 26262 (vehicle applications)
• CE marking: under the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and Machinery Directive
• Recycling compliance: evidence of compliance with the Battery Ordinance (BattV) / EU Battery Regulation
• Warranty concept: performance warranties for capacity retention over the service life

Frequently asked questions on NACE 27.2 and public tenders

How are electric-bus batteries procured — as a purchase or leasing?
Public transport companies increasingly use the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, where the battery is rented rather than purchased. This enables better predictability of operating costs and transfers the degradation risk to the provider. Under procurement law, this is then a service contract.

How do I find tenders for energy storage and battery systems?
Search on TED by CPV code 31400000 ff. For stationary large-scale storage, also search under energy technology (09000000). Public-transport tenders appear on dtvp.de, Vergabe24 and on municipal-utility portals.

What environmental requirements apply to publicly procured batteries?
The new EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) prescribes minimum recycled-content shares, CO₂ footprint evidence and digital battery passports from 2027. Public contracting authorities are increasingly integrating these requirements as eligibility or award criteria.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: parent section
• NACE 27 – Manufacture of electrical equipment: parent division
• NACE 27.1 – Manufacture of electric motors and transformers: energy distribution
• NACE 27.3 – Manufacture of wiring and wiring devices: cables, plugs

Last updated: April 2026
All information provided without warranty. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement.