Driving sustainable mobility across the globe
The EU-funded GIANTS(opens in new window) project was launched in 2024 to help transform electric mobility by addressing the different needs of both advanced and emerging markets. Less than two years later, the project has made significant progress in the development of a frugal, modular and scalable zero-emission L-type vehicle platform for urban and suburban mobility.
Making it smart and simple
The GIANTS platform’s modular design promises to simplify the refurbishment of used vehicles and vehicle parts. It will also facilitate recycling at vehicles’ end of use, the ultimate goal being to achieve zero emissions throughout their lifespan. Apart from being completely electric, GIANTS vehicles will include Internet of things systems and be based on a sustainability-by-design approach, making them easy and inexpensive to repair. They will also be able to make use of locally manufactured components assembled by local companies, reducing material and transport energy costs. In addition, solar charging will reduce the need for energy from external sources in regions with low-level grid infrastructure or high shares of fossil fuels in the electricity mix. With these vehicles, the GIANTS project promotes modularity and interoperability, paving the way for a sustainable future in transportation. To further this goal, Swedish project partner Clean Motion has contributed its expertise in lightweight electric vehicle design, adapting its EVIG platform – an electric delivery vehicle for urban environments – for the purposes of the project. “The GIANTS platform is now fully specified and currently undergoing evaluation,” states Clean Motion’s chief technology officer William Collings in a recent ‘Cision’ news item(opens in new window). “This stage is a pivotal transition from planning to physical testing. Together with partners like Valeo, we’re validating different configurations on custom-built test benches. The next step is preparing materials and assembly for the demonstration vehicles. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how collaboration and frugal innovation can accelerate the global shift to clean mobility.” With 1.5 years left, the focus now is on building and testing demonstration vehicles at GIANTS living labs across multiple demo sites in Europe, Africa and Asia. Vehicles will be tested to assess performance, sustainability and affordability in the different socio-economic environments and real-life conditions represented at the sites in Belgium, India, Kenya, the Philippines and Sweden.
Sparking curiosity in Europe’s future researchers
To inspire interest in sustainable technologies in an engaging way, GIANTS (Green Intelligent Affordable New Transport Solutions) held a workshop for children and families on European Researchers’ Night 2025. The team worked together with the participants to build small cars from cardboard, then adding motors, wheels and solar panels to transform them into fully functional miniature solar vehicles. Held at the Universalmuseum Joanneum in Graz, Austria, the event allowed those attending to gain hands-on insight into the fundamentals of sustainable energy and engage in interactive experiments and scientific exploration. For more information, please see: GIANTS project website(opens in new window)
