The NextETRUCK project held its latest General Assembly on 23–24 September in Barcelona, bringing together all partners to share progress, align next steps, and mark the beginning of the demonstration phase.
Day 1 – Work package updates & technical discussions
The day began with an overview related to management aspects of the project, delivered jointly by TNO, VUB, and ERTICO, focusing on the foundational work that set the stage for technical advancements. TNO then provided a comprehensive technical update, outlining the main achievements and progress in the development of key enabling technologies. The focus was on innovations supporting energy efficiency, smart routing, and vehicle system integration, all critical to decarbonising medium- and heavy-duty urban transport.
After a networking lunch, the afternoon resumed with work package updates, covering topics such as vehicle integration, system validation, and operational readiness. The day concluded with a relaxed beachside dinner.
Day 2 – Exploring Demonstration Use cases and operational realities
The second day began with an update from ERTICO regarding the pilots, followed by a deep dive into data processing from CENEX UK, which focused on how project data is collected, managed, and analysed to support decision-making and performance evaluation.
After the technical updates, the group shifted its focus to one of the project’s most critical components: the three demonstration use cases. These represent real-world applications of the project’s technologies and methodologies, offering insight into how the solutions perform under different operational, geographic, and regulatory conditions.
Each demonstration site brings its own logistical, infrastructural, and environmental challenges, which have made the development and testing process both complex and rewarding.
- The Irizar demonstration in Barcelona is already underway and is focused on operating electric trucks within an urban setting. The testing explores the integration of charging infrastructure and the vehicle’s compatibility with city logistics requirements.
- In Turkey, Ford Otosan is preparing to deploy its demonstration case, which focuses on longer routes and mixed-traffic environments.
- Lastly, DAF Trucks participated remotely from the UK and showcased the plans related to the launch of its use case involving routes throughout the UK.
Following the deep dive into the demos, the team presented an overview of the upcoming deliverables, the current status of project milestones, and the ongoing efforts to identify and mitigate key risks that may affect project outcomes.
One of the most pressing risks discussed was the limited availability of usable data, a factor that could affect the reliability of outcomes and the ability to measure progress against the defined KPIs.
In parallel, a preliminary version of the market analysis was shared. This analysis captures current market trends and stakeholder needs, offering early insight into how NEXTETRUCK technologies might align with industry demand. However, the team stressed that further data collection and validation will be crucial to refining these insights and supporting robust business cases for wider adoption. To close the session, an update will be provided on the project’s communication and dissemination activities, highlighting the importance of visibility and engagement as the project enters its demonstration phase.
With the demonstration phase now in motion, the NEXTETRUCK partners are entering an exciting period. Stay tuned for updates as the project moves from development into real-world deployment!