Objective Cities’ outskirts generally have less developed public transport networks. Thus, in these areas the most frequently used means of transport is still the car. Ecov aims at tackling this lack of affordable and flexible mobility solution outside of city centres. Its concept is based on connected carpooling stations that match drivers in their local car use with passengers looking for a flexible and cost-saving journey. Existing carpooling solutions have not addressed the problem properly, since they either require users to possess a smartphone, ask drivers to put in time and efforts to participate (not the case for short distance trips) or need a “critical mass” of users to actually work. Ecov avoids these issues: drivers do not need to register, nor do they need to commit to a particular itinerary or schedule. The innovation lies in the communication between street terminals, road signs, and the IT system managing payment between passengers and drivers. Currently, it is estimated that 5% of the total passenger-kilometres (pkm) could be carpooled locally. This means that the market potential is around 133b pkm in France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom combined (monetisation at €0.02/km yields a market worth €2.7b). To tap into this potential, Ecov has conceived an innovative business model that includes partnerships with local governments and private companies willing to install carpooling stations. The former are looking for disruptive cost-effective public transport solutions for their remote fringes, and the latter face difficulties attracting jobseekers and clients with mobility issues. LOCARP4EU will identify the most promising EU countries that have the most potential for Ecov’s concept and will adjust the business model to national conditions. The proposal meets European objectives by proposing a mobility solution that will contribute to making transport cleaner and more sustainable, and will participate in mitigating CO2 emission. Fields of science social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiespublic policiessocial sciencessociologygovernancepublic servicessocial sciencessociologysocial issuessocial inequalitiessocial scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementbusiness modelssocial sciencessocial geographytransportpublic transport Programme(s) H2020-EU.3.4. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport Main Programme H2020-EU.2.1.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument Topic(s) SMEInst-10-2016-2017 - Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility Call for proposal H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator ECOV Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address 4 place francois ii 44200 Nantes France See on map Region Pays de la Loire Pays de la Loire Loire-Atlantique Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 21 429,00
