Expense Advancement Agreement, effective as of May 30, 2024, by and among Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp. II, and Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Management II LLC

Exhibit 10. 1

THIS EXPENSE ADVANCEMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 30, 2024, is made and entered into by and among Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp. II, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Management II LLC (the “Sponsor”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company is a special purpose acquisition company that closed on its initial public offering on January 19, 2022 (the “Offering”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Offering, the Sponsor purchased warrants to purchase common stock of the Company (the “Sponsor Warrants”), on the terms and conditions as set forth in the Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2022 between the Company and the Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company;

WHEREAS, under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation in effect on the closing date of the Offering, the Company had 15 months from the date thereof to complete an initial business combination (the “Business Combination”);

WHEREAS, on April 12, 2023, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders during which the Company’s stockholders approved a proposal to extend the date by which the Company must consummate the Business Combination from April 19, 2023 to December 19, 2023, and on December 15, 2023, the Company held a special meeting of the stockholders during which the Company’s stockholders approved a proposal to extend the date by which the Company must consummate the Business Combination from December 19, 2023 to September 19, 2024 (subject to approval by the Company’s board of directors) (the “Extensions”);

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, the Company has entered into a Business Combination Agreement dated December 11, 2023 (“BCA”) with Abpro Corporation but has not completed a Business Combination;

WHEREAS, in order for the Company to consummate the Business Combination, it requires additional working capital in order to finance the fees and expenses in connection therewith;

WHEREAS, if the Company does not consummate the Business Combination, the Sponsor Warrants will expire worthless and be of no economic value to the Sponsor;

WHEREAS, the Sponsor will derive substantial benefit from the consummation of the Business Combination, including, but not limited to, the economic benefits related to the Sponsor Warrants;

WHEREAS, the Sponsor has made previous advances to the Company to partially fund certain redemptions of the Company’s common stock in connection with the Extensions (the “Prior Advances”);

WHEREAS, the Sponsor desires to enter into this Agreement in order to (i) evidence the Prior Advances and (ii) advance funds, on an interest-free basis, to the Company to cover working capital expenses, fund certain redemptions of the Company’s common stock in connection with the Extensions and facilitate consummation of the Business Combination;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. (a) From time to time, at the option of the Company, the Sponsor shall make one or more advances to the Company, in the aggregate principal amount of up to $600,000.00, in each instance on the terms of one or more promissory notes, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Note”), as may be necessary to fund the Company’s expenses relating to consummating a Business Combination and other working capital requirements prior to any potential Business Combination. Funds advanced under this Agreement and subsequently repaid may not be reborrowed. As of the date hereof, the Sponsor has advanced an aggregate principal amount of $240,000.00 in connection on or about the date of the Extensions in denominations of $80,000.00 in each case. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the principal amount of the advances made hereunder shall, at the option of the Sponsor, (i) be deemed fully repaid and all obligations hereunder shall be irrevocably terminated and discharged or (ii) counted as “Unpaid SPAC Expenses” under the BCA, after which point all obligations hereunder shall be deemed fully repaid and satisfied.

(b) Upon each delivery of a Note pursuant to this agreement, Schedule 1 attached hereto shall be revised to reflect the principal amount outstanding under such Note; and upon the repayment of any Note (including at maturity), Schedule 1 shall be revised to reflect the repayment of such amount(s).

(c) The Sponsor represents to the Company that the Sponsor is capable of making such advances to satisfy its obligations under Section 1(a).

2. This Agreement, together with the Note, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto.

3. No party may assign either this Agreement or any of his, her or its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that, subject to all applicable securities laws, the Note shall be freely assignable by the Sponsor to any assignee; provided, further, that Sponsor’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect in the event that an assignee fails to timely perform any of Sponsor’s obligations hereunder. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Agreement shall be binding on the undersigned and each of his or its heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.

4. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement shall be sufficiently given (i) when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery, (ii) the date and time shown on a facsimile transmission confirmation, or (iii) if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five (5) days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid. Such notice, statement or demand shall be addressed as follows:

If to the Company or the Sponsor:

6 St Johns Lane, Floor 5

New York, New York 10013

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

with a copy in each case (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

31 W. 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Attn: Stephen C. Ashley

5. This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile or other electronic counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

6. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

7. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto (i) agree that any action, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of, or relating in any way to, this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the state or federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan in the State of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction and venue, which jurisdiction and venue shall be exclusive and (ii) waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.

8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any Note or any other instrument executed in connection therewith, or any actual or alleged relationship between the parties, each party hereto confirms that they are dealing with each other under this Agreement at arm’s length, entering into this transaction based solely on their own independent judgments and upon advice from such advisors as they have deemed necessary and not in reliance upon any representations of the other party (or their affiliates). Each party intends that this transaction is, and agrees to take all necessary action to ensure that it continues to be, treated as an arm’s length transaction.

[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Expense Advance Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

[Signature Page to the Expense Advancement Agreement between Atlantic Coastal Acquisition

Corp. II and Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Management II LLC]

Schedule 1

Exhibit A

Form of Promissory Note

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE (“NOTE”) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION OF THE RESALE THEREOF UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY IN FORM, SCOPE AND SUBSTANCE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

PROMISSORY NOTE

Pursuant to that certain Expense Advance Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of May 30, 2024, by and between Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp. II, a Delaware corporation (the “Maker”), and Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Management II LLC (the “Payee”), the Maker hereby promises to pay to the order of the Payee or its registered assigns or successors in interest, the principal sum of {INSERT DOLLAR AMOUNT IN WORDS} (${INSERT NUMERICAL AMOUNT}) in lawful money of the United States of America, on the terms and conditions described below. All payments on this Note shall be made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds or as otherwise determined by the Maker to such account as the Payee may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions of this Note. Certain terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Agreement.

1. Principal. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, the principal balance of this Note shall be payable by Maker within one (1) day upon the Payee’s demand. Upon the consummation of the Business Transaction, the principal balance of this Note shall, at the option of the Payee, (i) be deemed fully repaid and all obligations hereunder shall be irrevocably terminated and discharged or (ii) be applied to satisfy the minimum cash condition (if any) required in connection with the Business Combination, after which point all obligations hereunder shall be deemed fully repaid and satisfied. The principal balance may be prepaid at any time. Under no circumstances shall any individual, including but not limited to any officer, director, employee or shareholder of the Maker, be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of the Maker hereunder.

2. Due on Demand. This is a demand Note and all amounts referenced hereunder shall become immediately due and payable upon demand by the Payee; provided, however, that all amounts due hereunder shall automatically become immediately due and payable if Maker commences or has commenced against it any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding. Maker hereby waives protest, presentment and notice of any kind in connection with this Note.

3. Interest. No interest shall accrue or be charged by Payee on the outstanding principal balance of this Note.

4. Use of Funds. Funds drawn down under this Note may only be used at the direction of the Payee.

5. Application of Payments. All payments shall be applied first to payment in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorney’s fees and then to the payment in full of any late charges and finally to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

6. Waivers. Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for, this Note waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest with regard to the Note, all errors, defects and imperfections in any proceedings instituted by Payee under the terms of this Note, and all benefits that might accrue to Maker by virtue of any present or future laws exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the proceeds arising from any sale of any such property, from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, or extension of time for payment; and Maker agrees that any real estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained by virtue hereof, or any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole or in part in any order desired by Payee.

7. Unconditional Liability. Maker hereby waives all notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the payment of this Note, and agrees that its liability shall be unconditional, without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in any manner by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver or modification granted or consented to by Payee, and consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by Payee with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note, and agrees that additional makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto without notice to Maker or affecting Maker’s liability hereunder.

8. Notices. All notices, statements or other documents which are required or contemplated by this Note shall be made: (i) in writing and delivered personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight courier service or facsimile or electronic transmission to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number most recently provided to such party or such other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party or (iii) by electronic mail, to the electronic mail address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may be designated in writing by such party. Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on the day of delivery, if delivered personally, on the business day following receipt of written confirmation, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission, one (1) business day after delivery to an overnight courier service or five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail.

9. Construction. THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

10. Severability. Any provision contained in this Note which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

11. Trust Waiver. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Payee hereby waives any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in or to any distribution of or from the trust account of the Company (the “Trust Account”), and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever; provided, however, that if the Maker completes a Business Combination, the Maker shall repay the principal balance of this Note, which may be out of the proceeds released to the Maker from the Trust Account.

12. Amendment; Waiver. Any amendment hereto or waiver of any provision hereof may be made with, and only with, the written consent of the Maker and the Payee.

14. Assignment. No assignment or transfer of this Note or any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party hereto and any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void; provided, however, that this Note shall be freely assignable by the Payee to any assignee (provided such assignment is in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws).

[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker, intending to be legally bound hereby, has caused this Note to be duly executed by the undersigned as of the day and year first above written.

[Signature Page to the Promissory Note by Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp. II in favor of

Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Management II LLC]