The 30th edition of the ITS World Congress, organised by NextETRUCK partner ERTICO, was a global showcase for innovative mobility solutions in a week filled with thought-provoking discussions and an exchange of global perspectives on mobility challenges. One of the major topics at this year’s event was decarbonisation, a cornerstone of sustainable and smart urban mobility strategies. These strategies rely on innovative technologies, sound policies, and effective partnerships to achieve climate-neutral transportation.
NextETRUCK stands as a relevant project in this area, addressing the decarbonisation of urban freight. Our project seeks to make urban deliveries more sustainable by introducing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) tailored for medium freight haulage to achieve at least a 10% increase in energy efficiency compared to current high-end electric vehicles of the same size. In addition, the project aims to create digital tools for fleet management, efficient fast-charging infrastructure, and optimized vehicle architectures to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO).
ERTICO’s Innovation and Deployment Senior Manager, Jean Charles Pandazis, presented the project at the ERTICO stand, showcasing NextETRUCK’s mission to foster a new generation of zero-emission, electric medium freight haulage. The project’s advancements were highlighted, including an advanced vehicle Digital Twin, tools for virtual integration of ZEVs, and real-world demonstrations in three unique cases to validate its feasibility and superiority over existing systems. NextETRUCK’s participation in the ITS World Congress underscores its commitment to driving sustainable urban mobility. The congress also provided the project with an invaluable opportunity to strengthen connections with international peers, fostering collaborations and knowledge exchange that will be crucial in advancing innovative solutions for decarbonising urban freight.