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.

As car and truck engines have become quieter and cleaner over the past decades, particulate and noise emissions from road-tyre interaction have become the dominant source of traffic-generated particulate emission and traffic noise. Both particulates (airborne or as microplastics) and noise are suspected to contribute to negative health outcomes for those living near busy roads. Currently, non-exhaust particulate emissions are not regulated. Tyre noise is subject to labelling for passenger vehicles, but not yet for trucks. Legislation is in preparation but will require a solid body of evidence of the mechanisms of generation, dispersion and potential health effects of both particulate and noise emissions, in order to introduce measures that are effective and widely accepted. LEON-T will contribute to this body of evidence by investigating both particulate and noise emissions from tyres, and in doing so define and propose practical standardised methods for both lab and road testing—of tyre abrasion rate (mostly larger particles) and airborne particulate emissions. We will also further investigate and model the dispersion and environmental fate of these particulate emissions, as they form a sizeable fraction of microplastics found in the environment. The potential effects of tyre noise on cardiovascular health will be investigated using waking tests and sleep studies. Here we will consider not just average sound pressure level, but also sound qualities such as tonality and timbre—as these can be influenced by tyre and road surface design. The insights gained in these investigations will be used to optimise the design, prototyping and demonstration of a novel airless tyre, which we expect will combine reduced noise, wear and emissions with high safety, reliability and comfort. LEON-T will make policy recommendations to mitigate against potential health hazards caused by tyre particulate and noise emissions.

The C-MobILE (Accelerating C-ITS Mobility Innovation and depLoyment in Europe) vision is a fully safe & efficient road transport without casualties and serious injuries on European roads, in particular in complex urban areas and for Vulnerable Road Users. We envision a congestion-free, sustainable and economically viable mobility, minimizing the environmental impact of road transport. C-MobILE will set the basis for large scale deployment in Europe, elevating research pilot sites to deployment locations of sustainable services that are supported by local authorities, using a common approach that ensures interoperability and seamless availability of services towards acceptable end user cost and positive business case for parties in the supply chain. The C-MobILE project will produce 7 key results: - C-ITS framework defined in partnerships with major stakeholders for proposing key deployment enabling solutions on existing pilot sites, including business cases - Strategic Research Agenda defined for key researching and innovation areas that promote sustainable C-ITS deployments and will lead towards automated transport in Europe - Assessment including CBA of the cumulative real-life benefits of clustering C-ITS applications and integrating multiple transport modes in the C-ITS ecosystem - Open secure large-scale C-ITS deployment of new and existing applications demonstrated in complex urban environments interoperable across countries involving large groups of end users - Provide an open platform towards C-ITS sources to support deployment of service concepts on commodity devices, validated by developer communities - Validated operational procedures for large-scale deployment of sustainable C-ITS services in Europe - Released testing methodologies to evaluate the proven impact of C-ITS architectures and services

SYS2WHEEL will provide brand-independent components and systems for integrated 3rd generation commercial battery electric vehicles (cBEVs) for CO2-free city logistics. High efficiency, performance, packaging and modularity enable efficient integration. Mass production costs of e-powertrain components and systems will be considerably reduced, while eliminating negative impact on drivability, safety and reliability. The same components and systems shall be used for different commercial vehicle categories, sub-categories and brands, in urban and inter-urban applications. The project will foster the transition to a broad range of cBEVs and will accelerate market penetration of e-powertrain components and systems. SYS2WHEEL will demonstrate its results on N1 and N2 cBEVs and assesses the related potential for the whole range of L and N category cBEVs as well as extensions to M1 and M2 passenger carriers. Essential enabling elements in SYS2WHEEL are e-motors for both, in-wheel and e-axle systems, a novel suspension for in-wheel systems, the in-wheel and e-axle systems themselves, time-sensitive networking, advanced controls, affordable and efficient processes, as well as scalability/ transferability of innovations. Specifically SYS2WHEEL will reduce costs in mass production by at least 20% through components becoming obsolete and reduction of wiring costs due to application of time-sensitive networks. The powertrain efficiency will be increased by improved e-motor windings, advanced rare-earth magnets, reduced powertrain rotating parts, reduced losses, advanced controls and weight reduction. Affordability, and user-friendliness will be addressed by enhanced modularity and packaging, automotive quality by advanced fail-operational safety and ISO 26262 compliance, modular and scalable technologies and lowered total cost of ownership. Space-saving approaches in SYS2WHEEL lead to more freedom for batteries, cargo and drivers.