Long-haul BEVs and FCEVs need to become more affordable and reliable, more energy efficient, with a longer range per single charge, and a reduced charging time to meet the user’s needs. Next to those, there is a real need to take zero-emission long-haul goods transport in Europe to the next level by executing real-world demonstrations of BEVs and FCEVs spread all over Europe; this also requires that technology soon can deliver on promised benefits (easy handling, similar driving hours & charging/fueling, and high speeds, and ability to operate in complex transport supply chains); flexible and abundant charging points for the rising number of vehicles must be implemented fast and to support this, novel charging concepts are needed. In addition, as multiple needs in the logistics chain exist, require novel tools for fleet managers providing them with better information on ZEV in logistic operation, providing a twin of the real use thereby giving valuable information regarding predictive maintenance, eco-driving etc., providing information on better logistics planning, the (available) charging and refuelling along the route, access to roads and traffic information. ZEFES major outcomes: Executing of real-world demonstrations of long-haul BEVs and FCEVs across Europe to take zero-emission long-haul goods transport in Europe to the next level. Pathway for long-haul BEVs and FCEVs to become more affordable and reliable, more energy efficient, with a longer range per single charge and reduced charging times able to meet the user’s needs. Technologies which can deliver promised benefits (easy handling, similar driving hours & charging/fueling, high speeds and ability to operate in complex transport supply chains). Mapping of flexible and abundant charging/fueling points and novel charging concepts. Novel tools for fleet management to support the rising number of long-haul BEVs and FCEVs vehicles in the logistics supply chains.

For the mass deployment of electric trucks, the FLEXMCS project aims to overcome challenges regarding the acceleration of the roll out of charging infrastructure, in expanding grid capacity and available charging infrastructure. FLEXMCS designs highly energy-efficient megawatt-charging hubs with multiport chargers, which improve the utilisation and can be used flexible, for HDVs during fast charging, but also at night for slower charging and for light vehicles. The project will integrate renewable energy sources in the charging hub to minimize energy losses and grid impact. Furthermore, the project will develop tools for optimal utilisation of charging infrastructure and user convenience. An Open Charging Framework architecture, will create real-time data exchange between CPOs and truck, to match the supply and demand of charging infrastructure. Part of the project is also the streamlining of the planning and installation of new charging hubs, identification of optimal geographical locations along TEN-T corridors and optimizing hub architecture and layout, and addressing technical and non-technical barriers. FLEXMCS will demonstrate and assess the FLEXMCS megawatt-charging hub concept and upscaling strategy, validating technology effectiveness and formulating business cases. The project partners include Vrije Universiteit Brussel as the coordinator, along with Hitachi Energy, JEMA Energy as charging infrastructure suppliers, ElaadNL representing grid operators, IVECO spa and DAF trucks regarding the interoperability for trucks, Bosch Service Solutions GmbH for access and control systems on the charging hub, Alfen for stationary energy storage, Ricardo, TNO, IDIADA Automotive Technology SA and Austrian Institute of Technology for the development of tools and algorithms, and ALICE and Gruber Logistics SPA for giving an end-user perspective on all systems.

The transport network is among the so-called Critical Infrastructures' (CIs), which are essential to maintaining the vital functions of the Single Market. While it is by nature a large-scale interconnected and interdependent system to efficiently move people and goods, its complexity also makes it more vulnerable in the event of a disruption and generates economic impact on a European scale. Due to the increasing cross-border interdependencies between services provided using critical infrastructures in these sectors, an interruption in one MS may have implications in other MS or in the Union as a whole. In December 2022, Council Recommendation 2023/C 20/01 suggested giving priority to four of the eleven sectors mentioned in the CER Directive, including transport. Although transport is recognised as a key sector to be protected, freight transport is underrepresented in terms of previous research projects. As supply chains become more complex and global, they rely more on logistics infrastructures that must be resilient to provide seamless transport. Since freight transport terminals are locations where goods are assembled and dispersed, they have always been a focus of security and safety concerns. The overarching objective of TRANSCEND is to provide freight transport critical infrastructure operators with an integrated set of advanced tools, guidelines and technological solutions to reduce risk, and enhance the protection and resilience of their critical infrastructure and interrelated critical infrastructures against physical, cyber and hybrid threats.​ The contributions will be integrated into a Control Tower, a digital platform with embedded business intelligence giving stakeholders a shared and continuous visibility of threats and risks by breaking down silos within and between organisations. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, five diverse CIs will experiment methodological and technological solutions as pilots: three leaders and two followers.

Current market dynamics in EU reveal a gap between supply - existing N1 vehicles, and demand - evolving needs of urban logistics and climate targets. In 2023, 1.2M new LCV registrations were diesel-powered, and only 108,200 battery-electric. Last-mile logistics, the least efficient and most complex part of the supply chain, presents significant opportunities for improvements at vehicle and operations levels. Dynamic requirements and increasing environmental impact require innovative solutions from the automotive industry, both from high volume OEMs and new entrants. S2Z aims to capitalize on the benefits of both vehicle platforms in the N1 segment - represented by IVECO’s eDaily multi-purpose platform, and Alke’s ATX design-for-purpose platform, ultimately contributing to “Shifting to zero-emission logistics through right-sized, mission-focused, N1 e-LCVs”. To achieve this vision, S2Z proposes a 4-step user- and mission-centric design approach placing end-users and their needs at the core of all project activities. To this end, S2Z involves 5 LSPs & mobility operators as partners: Gruber, DHL, Diakinisis, Clem, DPD. As a result, we will co-develop and shape at least 6 novel N1 concepts with enhanced and safe functionalities leading to tighter market fit, particularly in the segments of e-commerce, returns and cold deliveries. Innovative concepts, from modular cargo bodies to vehicle control strategies with optimized tyres & brakes, as well as dual transport of people & freight, will be physically prototyped and tested in real-life operations in 6 pilot sites (BE, GR, IT, 2 x NO, PL). S2Z brings a multidisciplinar consortium of 30 partners from 10 countries to cover the complete automotive and logistics value chains, complemented by policymakers to effectively ensure our route to market: overcoming barriers for the adoption of S2Z eLCVs, reducing operational costs and environmental impact in scalable urban & sub-urban operations.

EMPOWER addresses in full the expected outcome and scope of the HORIZON-CL5-2022-D5-01-08 topic by delivering two flexible, modular, and scalable zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (ZE HDV) belonging to the VECTO vehicle group 9 (6×2 rigid trucks), with a gross vehicle weight equal or above 40 tons. One vehicle is powered by a Fuel Cell (FC) system and has a driving range of 750 km, while the other is powered by a battery-electric powertrain, and has a driving range of 400 km. Both vehicles will be delivered at TRL 8 by the end of the project (end of 2026) and are expected to approach the market by 2029. Within its technical activities, EMPOWER will: • design, implement and deliver technology bricks: (1) a modular vehicle system architecture, (2) a modular high voltage architecture, (3) a modular low-voltage E/E architecture, (4) a FC system with high reliability and extended operational lifetime with a modular energy storage, (5) a highly efficient e-axle, (6) an optimised thermal- and energy management, (7) an optimised HVAC system featuring CO2 as refrigerant and infrared heating panels, (8) an electrified distributed braking system, (9) digital twin models of the demonstrators, (10) an innovative Human Vehicle Interface for optimised control of the vehicle systems, featuring Vehicle-to-Grid communication and eco-routing, (11) a fleet management system for the integration of ZE HDV into the fleet, (12) an overall LCA and TCO assessment, and (13) the operation of a green hydrogen infrastructure for ZE HDV. • demonstrate the driving range and real-world operation performance of the two ZE HDV in five different long-haul and regional distribution use-cases, including cross-border corridors between different European member states. The modular and scalable EMPOWER technology is transferable to VECTO vehicle groups 4, 5, and 10, and it is designed to achieve the total cost of operation parity against the conventional 2020 baseline diesel truck by 2030, targeting a production volume above 10,000 vehicles/year.