Joint ERTRAC-2Zero-CCAM Position Paperon Road Transport Research

This position paper, jointly released by the European Technology Platform ERTRAC and European Partnerships 2Zero and CCAM, urgently calls upon the European Union to strengthen support for the road transport sector’s transformation towards digitalization and decarbonization. The authors emphasize the critical need to defend Europe’s competitiveness against global challenges to its economic sovereignty, particularly within the upcoming EU multi-annual financial framework (FP10).

Road transport is fundamental to European society and economy, enabling daily life, facilitating passenger and freight mobility, and significantly contributing to the EU’s GDP, employment (13 million workers), and trade balance (over €100 billion positive). It is also Europe’s highest R&D spending sector, investing nearly €60 billion annually.

The paper argues that massive investment in Research and Development (R&D) is indispensable for global competitiveness and for achieving key EU objectives, including the Green Deal, Industrial Plan, and Digitalization policy. R&D fosters carbon neutrality, enhances road safety, improves traffic efficiency, and ensures the affordability and resilience of transport systems. Such investment is crucial for reaching the EU’s ambitious 2040 and 2050 targets and securing technological sovereignty.

The European Partnerships 2Zero (Towards Zero Emission Road Transport) and CCAM (Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility) are highlighted as effective instruments for addressing decarbonization and automation, respectively. These partnerships have successfully built unique R&I ecosystems, demonstrating efficient, transparent, and multi-stakeholder approaches to defining research agendas and delivering concrete impacts.

To maintain momentum, the paper proposes expanding the scope of both partnerships. 2Zero should evolve to embrace circular economy principles comprehensively, extending its focus beyond vehicle use to include production, end-of-life management, alternative materials, and digital tools for circular processes. CCAM aims to transition from a technology-centric focus to a holistic ecosystem approach, integrating with physical and digital infrastructures, translating technologies into innovative mobility services, and prioritizing digital transformation through software-centric vehicle control, AI integration, and cybersecurity.

The paper also advocates for flexibility and cross-sector collaboration within FP10. It calls for continued horizontal transport calls, allowing for multi-modal and mode-specific research on topics like urban mobility, logistics efficiency, and infrastructure. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of enhanced collaboration with enabling technology sectors (e.g., batteries, hydrogen, chips, data, AI) to maximize innovation potential. Finally, the signatories urge the creation of “European Flagship Projects” with appropriate, ring-fenced budgets in FP10 to demonstrate large-scale innovation impact, identified collaboratively by existing communities and industrial stakeholders. This strategic research support is essential to preserve the automotive and mobility sector’s strength and competitiveness in Europe, delivering critical societal impacts on climate neutrality and road safety.