In a context where exponential growth in e-commerce challenges cities’ capacity to efficiently manage last-mile distribution, electromobility emerges as a key solution.
Founded as part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) initiative, EIT Urban Mobility focuses on developing solutions not only to tackle current challenges like congestion and air pollution but also to drive transformation towards a more sustainable and liveable city future.
Here’s a compilation from Mobility Portal Europe of EIT Urban Mobility’s standout plans in Europe’s major metropolises.
Paris’ path to sustainability
In discussion, Sergi Milan, Innovation Advisory Officer of the association, highlights one standout initiative: Elonroad, a Swedish startup collaborating with VINCI Group, developing electric roads on the A10 near Paris.
This plan is dubbed a “paradigm shift” as stated by Valery Prunier, the project’s developer, and introduces automated dynamic charging through an integrated conductor rail system on the road.
This will enable electric vehicles (EVs) to recharge while in motion, eliminating reliance on heavy, costly batteries.
The Elonroad rail system will provide high-power automatic charging of up to 350-400 kilowatts, allowing vehicles, including heavy trucks, to maintain speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour while recharging.
This technology not only promises to reduce operational costs for drivers and transport fleets but could also significantly impact CO2 emissions reduction, a crucial advancement towards sustainability in the road transport sector.
Initial implementation on the A10 is slated for 2025, with plans to expand to more highway sections in subsequent years.
This initiative, backed by EIT Urban Mobility and funded by the French government, aims to accelerate the adoption of second-generation electric mobility and contribute to the EU’s decarbonization targets by 2035.
It also represents a pioneering collaboration between Sweden and France, two sustainability leaders in Europe, potentially setting a precedent for future electric mobility infrastructures across the continent.
Optimization of urban space in Cesena
Meanwhile, in Italy, a standout project by ParkUNLOAD is set to take place in the city of Cesena.
The company will implement an innovative application for the efficient management of park-and-ride facilities.
This initiative facilitates urban mobility by integrating Park&Ride modules, optimizing traffic flow, and reducing congestion in densely populated urban areas.
Although specific details of the project have not yet been published, the application will demonstrate how technological solutions from urban logistics can also effectively improve other aspects of regulated parking, providing a replicable model for other European cities.
Barcelona: innovation in last-mile distribution
Finally, Barcelona emerges as a leader in urban sustainability, proactively addressing last-mile distribution challenges.
Key pillars of its strategy include implementing Low Emission Zones (ZBE) and promoting the use of cargo bicycles.
These measures aim not only to reduce air pollutant emissions and urban congestion but also to improve logistics efficiency through micro-distribution centres and advanced parcel tracking technology in real time.
Barcelona’s integrated approach not only drives environmental sustainability but also serves as inspiration and a model for other European cities facing similar urban mobility challenges.
EIT Urban Mobility’s impact and future directions
Beyond these specific projects, the organisation continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of urban mobility across Europe.
Through its collaborative approach involving industry, academia, and government partners, EIT Urban Mobility fosters innovation and facilitates the scaling of sustainable metropolitan mobility solutions.
Its Advisory Officer, emphasizes the organization’s commitment to addressing not just the technical challenges but also the societal and environmental impacts of urban mobility.
“We are dedicated to developing solutions that not only make cities cleaner and more liveable but also contribute to economic growth and social equity,” Milan states in an interview with Mobility Portal Spain.
Looking ahead, the association plans to expand its initiatives, fostering more cross-border collaborations and innovative projects that align with Europe’s Green Deal objectives.
