Simplification of the buffer architecture in the fabrication of coated conductors is required because the deposition of multi-layers leads to a longer production time and a higher cost of coated conductors. In this study, a single layered buffer deposition of $CeO_2$ for low cost coated conductors has been tried using thermal evaporation technique. l00nm-thick $CeO_2$ layers deposited by thermal evaporation were found to act as a diffusion layer. $0.4{mu}m$-thick SmBCO superconducting layers were deposited by thermal co-evaporation on the $CeO_2$ buffered Ni-W substrate. Critical current of $55.4 A/cm^2$ was obtained for the SmBCO coated conductors.