Stimulating European research and development for the implementation of future road transport technologies

Proposals should consider a comprehensive approach ranging from components to system integration and including enabling technologies and other transport modes, where relevant. They should address all the following aspects:

―Updating of research agendas and roadmaps as developed by the European Technology Platform ERTRAC (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council) and the European Green Vehicle Initiative (EGVI).

―Monitoring of road transport research projects and their impacts from relevant European programmes (Horizon2020, ENT, JU, etc.) and organisation of workshops to present and discuss results, trends, exchange experience and foster innovation aspects.

―Definition of multi-annual and more precise annual implementation plans as input for the programmes of the EU and Member States.

―Identification of actions to support education, training, standardisation and business models.

―Identification of barriers for the deployment of research results and improvement of framework conditions.

―Fostering of the links between ERTRAC and the national technology platforms for road transport existing at national level in Europe.

―Organisation of dissemination activities for ERTRAC and EGVI. These activities should also target emerging economies within Asia and Latin America.

―Facilitating exchange between cities in Europa, Asia and Latin America, initiate pilot actions and develop pre-feasibility studies for cities in emerging economies, and twin EU and international projects on urban electric mobility.

―Track global progress on urban electric mobility and support UN activities, such as the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI).

The implementation requires close collaboration with the leading stakeholders in transport RTD in Europe. This includes Original Equipment Manufacturers, supply industry, research and engineering organisations, as well as other multipliers such as ETPs dealing with transport research and innovation, EGVI, the ENT, the EU, and Member States. In line with the strategy for EU international cooperation in research and innovation[[COM(2012)497]], international cooperation is encouraged with key emerging countries, in particular China and Brazil.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 2 to 3.5 million each would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

The objective of this topic is to define and promote research priorities for sustainable road transport in Europe. It calls for a Coordination and Support Action to assist ERTRAC, the European Technology Platform for road transport, the European Green Vehicle Initiative PPP, the European Commission and Member States in defining the research needs for their strategies and programmes in order to achieve the objectives of the Energy Union and other European policies and further on the vision of the White Paper 2011 for a competitive and resource-efficient future transport system.

This action will bring together the leading European stakeholders in road transport research to monitor projects, develop roadmaps, and support their implementation. It will contribute to a further harmonisation of research and innovation, and therefore contribute to the European Research Area, in particular also in the view of innovation, as well as to the European strategies for a future transport system. The action will also accelerate time to market of new mobility solutions. In addition, this initiative will contribute to climate action and sustainable development objectives.