Sustainable transport in cities
Electromobility is a green vehicle concept that uses electricity instead of fossil fuels and produces zero emissions. However, fast uptake depends on appropriate regional infrastructures, a change in citizens' habits and embedding electric vehicles in a wider urban mobility concept. The EU-funded project ELMO'S(opens in new window) (Electromobility solutions for cities and regions) facilitated the development and implementation of such transport systems. The consortium consisted of 10 project partners from 6 regions, representing 846 companies, 28 research institutions, 27 public authorities and 31 other regional stakeholders from their regions or respective regional clusters. ELMO'S delivered concepts for better exchange of electromobility knowledge, new business models and cross-border field tests. These were mainly aimed at creating new mobility patterns in urban environments and improving standardisation in electromobility technology. A first step towards achieving a modal shift for sustainable growth was taken by gathering and analysing all available knowledge in different regions, research-driven clusters and at EU level regarding electromobility. Partners also conducted a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis, serving the formulation of joint research and business strategies. A joint action plan helped develop a commonly accepted framework for future joint transnational actions related to research-driven economic development and cluster competitiveness. Better integration of research agendas and effective cluster policies should facilitate research, technological development and innovation (RTDI) in the automotive, renewable energy, and information and communications technology sectors. ELMO'S also brought together innovators from different sectors as well as with investors to identify opportunities for joint RTDI and respective funding sources. Mentoring for capacity building and mutual learning were central elements of the project. To further develop RTDI potential in less advanced regions, the team selected two mentee clusters. Activities included analysing their specific thematic priorities and developing mentoring schemes. ELMO'S promoted electromobility solutions on all levels through knowledge transfer, training tools and a European Electromobility Inventory that is accessible via the project web portal. These activities helped to mainstream the electromobility knowledge gained and can have great impact on other clusters, regions, stakeholders, researchers and investors.
