The European Commission has defined electrification as one of its political priorities to boost European industry competitiveness. The upcoming Electrification Action Plan will provide the right policy framework to promote direct electrification, supporting the decarbonisation of the European industry while enhancing its competitiveness by maintaining a technological leadership on electrification technologies and provide industrial flexibility, as well as energy resilience.
NextETRUCK is supporting the initiative by its cutting-edge research
NextETRUCK is welcoming this initiative and the related transformative efforts, as the project is directly aligned with the Electrification Action Plan’s priorities, particularly in technology deployment.
Through its innovations in electric powertrain for medium-duty freight transport, NextETRUCK is advancing solutions that optimise Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and improve market uptake. The development of digital twin designs, fleet management tools and virtual integration of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) supports the monitoring and scalability of electrification technologies.
In line with the plan’s focus on more affordable electricity, NextETRUCK is committed to providing affordable, eco-efficient solutions. The project aims to reduce TCO through self-learning algorithms, more efficient eco-strategies, and reduced material use, ensuring that electrification remains a financially viable option for fleet operators.
Beyond its sustainability goals, NextETRUCK contributes to the EU’s objectives to enhance its business fabric by partnering with several SMEs, including those specialising in electric vehicle components or battery systems and charging systems like CIDETEC, JEMA and DATIK. These partnerships help foster technological innovation and provide a collaborative environment for developing cutting-edge solutions for medium-duty electric trucks. Additionally, NextETRUCK ensures that training and knowledge transfer are embedded into its activities, helping to build a skilled workforce that will drive the future of electrification.
NextETRUCK welcomes clear policy framework
The consortium welcomes this policy direction towards electrification through the establishment of a clear policy framework. With the testing of cutting-edge electrification technologies, NextETRUCK is on track with EU political priorities and contributes to the competitiveness of the EU’s industry. The test vehicles are expected to be 10% more energy efficient than top market competitors. The innovations and new business models generated in the framework of the project will foster the market uptake of the project solutions and ultimately the technological leadership of the EU industry.
Looking at EU-funded projects supporting heavy industry decarbonisation, historically the focus has been more on supporting hydrogen and CCS-based solutions. The European Green Deal, the Fit for 55 package and the upcoming Electrification Action Plan are emphasising the role of electrification in achieving carbon neutrality.