The introduction of connected, cooperative and automated mobility (CCAM) can make a significant improvement to logistic chains. The MODI project will identify and largely resolve barriers on confined areas and on public roads for SAE L4 CCAM vehicles on the corridor from Rotterdam to Oslo, and demonstrate the solutions. Coordination is a central element of development in this project: it enables early integration of CCAM in current logistic vehicle operations, adding more efficiency benefits for logistics companies and thus creating an attractive path to deployment. Coordination is also needed for smart traffic management in the public domain. The project comprises five different use cases, each describing a part of the logistics chain. It identifies what is already possible on SAE L4, and what is not possible yet. For the public roads, the project will focus on understanding and overcoming the regulatory barriers and PDI shortcomings on the motorway corridor with road authorities and OEMs of the project involved. In cocreation with all stakeholders the project will search for an optimal combination of physical, digital infrastructure and OEM equipment, easy to implement and low in costs for all parties. In addition to the demonstrations, the project provides detailed business models for the logistics sector, demonstrating that the use of CCAM can lead to greater profits, especially when vehicles drive on a coordinated way. The consortium consists of 8 industry partners: OEMs, ITS solutions providers, test centers and logistical companies; engineering and research providers with 4 RTOs, 3 universities; and associations of logistical companies, Tier 1 companies, ITS service providers. Complemented with road authorities and cities/regions along the corridor, representing the complete value chain. A strong stakeholder group is committed (signed LoS).

In the long haul transport sector, the reduction of real driving emissions and fuel consumption is the main societal challenge. The LONGRUN project will contribute to lower the impacts by developing different engines, drivelines and demonstrator vehicles with 10% energy saving (TtW) and related CO2, 30% lower emission exhaust (NOx, CO and others), and 50% Peak Thermal Efficiency. A second achievement will be the multiscale simulation framework to support the design and development of efficient powertrains, including hybrids for both trucks and coaches. With the proposed initiatives a leading position in hybrid powertrain technology and Internal Combustion Engine operating on renewable fuels in Europe will be guaranteed. A single solution is not enough to achieve these targets. The LONGRUN project brings together leading OEMs of trucks and coaches and their suppliers and research partners, to develop a set of innovations and applications, and to publish major roadmaps for technology and fuels in time for the revision of the CO2 emission standards for heavy duty vehicles in 2022 to support decision making with most recent and validated results and to make recommendations for future policies. The OEMs will develop 8 demonstrators (3 engines, 1 hybrid drivelines, 2 coaches and 3 trucks); within them technical sub-systems and components will be demonstrated, including electro-hybrid drives, optimised ICEs and aftertreatment systems for alternative and renewable fuels, electric motors, smart auxiliaries, on-board energy recuperation and storage devices and power electronics. This includes concepts for connected and digitalised fleet management, predictive maintenance and operation in relation to electrification where appropriate to maximise the emissions reduction potential. The 30 partners will accelerate the transition from fossil-based fuels to alternative and renewable fuels and to a strong reduction of fossil-based CO2 and air pollutant emissions in Europe

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.