Integrated flexible multipoint megawatt charging systems for electric truck mass deployment (2ZERO Partnership)

Megawatt charging is then required to meet the demand for long operational range with even shorter charging times. Ultra-high-power charging on-board and off-board sub-systems design is, as a first step, covered in topic HORIZON-CL5-2022-D5-01-08.

The present topic covers their evolution towards multi-charger hubs that cater for a widespread deployment of these vehicles on the 2030 horizon. Limited on-board systems optimisation may be included if properly justified. At the same time each charger in these charging hubs will be usable for multiple lighter vehicles with lower power (150-350 kW) during peak times such as weekend or holiday periods, when demand from heavy duty vehicles may be lower. This will also require concepts for topologies capable for accommodating one heavy vehicle or 4-6 light vehicles in each charging spot.

Proposals are expected to address all the following aspects:

• Consider typical demands along significant TEN-T corridors, including under severe weather and peak conditions, as well as opportunities for sharing and balancing power supply within studied areas, locations of logistics terminals and truck stops with nearby depots for overnight charging of trucks, buses, and construction machines, car-parking etc.
• Input from EU Member States/Associated countries’ maps with aggregated charging demands and expected high power charging station localisations as well as input from grid operators on power system local and regional conditions is also expected. Such terminals/ hubs for charging should offer charging on non-discriminatory basis.
• Particular attention should be paid to the real needs of end users, including optimised infrastructure locations, its reverse impact on the traffic flow, ease of use and interoperable protocols that do not hinder universal use across different countries; the identification and analysis of potential regulatory aspects and barriers for relevant standardisation activities is encouraged.
• The developed tools should have the capability to map the optimal locations for a fast and high-power charging infrastructure (already built-up logistics hubs, truck service centres, truck and bus depots, and for new ones also considering the permitting process), offering planning information including to the developers of the targeted infrastructure. For optimisation of the overall system use, services and tools should be developed keeping into account on-board EV system characteristics.

Topic is open to international collaboration, in particular regarding interface specifications (e.g. with the USA).

This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on the results to the European Partnership ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs.

Destination

Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes (2023/24)

This Destination addresses activities that improve the climate and environmental footprint, as well as competitiveness, of different transport modes.

The transport sector is responsible for 23% of CO₂ emissions and remains dependent on oil for 92% of its energy demand. While there has been significant technological progress over past decades, projected GHG emissions are not in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement due to the expected increase in transport demand. Intensified research and innovation activities are therefore needed, across all transport modes and in line with societal needs and preferences, in order for the EU to reach its policy goals towards a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to reduce significantly air pollutants.

The areas of rail and air traffic management will be addressed through dedicated Institutional European Partnerships and are therefore not included in this document.

This Destination contributes to the following Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations (KSO):

• C: Making Europe the first digitally enabled circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy through the transformation of its mobility, energy, construction and production systems;
• A: Promoting an open strategic autonomy[[ ‘Open strategic autonomy’ refers to the term ‘strategic autonomy while preserving an open economy’, as reflected in the conclusions of the European Council 1 – 2 October 2020.]] by leading the development of key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and value chains to accelerate and steer the digital and green transitions through human-centred technologies and innovations.

It covers the following impact areas:

• Industrial leadership in key and emerging technologies that work for people;
• Smart and sustainable transport.

The expected impact, in line with the Strategic Plan, is to contribute “Towards climate-neutral and environmental friendly mobility through clean solutions across all transport modes while increasing global competitiveness of the EU transport sector“, notably through:

• Transforming road transport to zero-emission mobility through a world-class European research and innovation and industrial system, ensuring that Europe remains world leader in innovation, production and services in relation to road transport (more detailed information below).
• Accelerating the reduction of all aviation impacts and emissions (CO₂ and non-CO₂, including manufacturing and end-of-life, noise), developing aircraft technologies for deep reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and maintaining European aero-industry’s global leadership position (more detailed information below).
• Accelerate the development and prepare the deployment of climate neutral and clean solutions in the inland and marine shipping sector, reduce its environmental impact (on biodiversity, noise, pollution and waste management), improve its system efficiency, leverage digital and EU satellite-navigation solutions and contribute to the competitiveness of the European waterborne sector (more detailed information below).
• Devising more effective ways for reducing emissions and their impacts through improved scientific knowledge (more detailed information below).

Several levels of interactions are foreseen with other European initiatives, in particular with the Industrial Battery Value Chain (BATT4EU) partnership, the Cooperative Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) partnership and the Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities, in particular:

• Joint topic “2ZERO – BATT4EU” D5-1-4 B – Innovative battery management systems for next generation vehicles (2ZERO & Batteries Partnership) (2023)
• Joint topic “CCAM – 2ZERO – Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities” D5-1-5 Co-designed smart systems and services for user-centred shared zero-emission mobility of people and goods in urban areas (2ZERO, CCAM and Cities’ Mission) (2023)