Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
Leipzig, May 21, 2025 – ALICE joined the International Transport Forum (ITF) 2025 Summit to speak on the panel “Reinventing Logistics Vehicles for Decarbonisation,” hosted by Amazon. Represented by Paola Cossu, CEO of FIT Consulting and ALICE Board Member, the Alliance contributed alongside Mubea, NÜWIEL, and velotech.de GmbH in discussing the role of next-generation vehicles in sustainable urban logistics.
Moderated by Joy Pasquet (Amazon), the session explored how regulation, innovation, infrastructure, and collaboration must evolve to enable low-emission logistics systems. It built on the 2023 ITF report “Shifting the Focus: Smaller Electric Vehicles for Sustainable Cities” and featured insights from manufacturers, logistics carriers, and EU mobility experts.
ALICE’s strategic priorities: innovation meets implementation
Paola introduced ALICE as a non-profit association based in Brussels, representing over 200 logistics stakeholders. With a Secretariat of 20+ experts, ALICE works to accelerate innovation implementation and scale-up to support an affordable and resilient transition to decarbonised freight systems.
Three roadmaps guide this work:
These roadmaps support real-world electrification. For example, An Post (Ireland) operates electric vans, e-trucks, and cargo bikes while testing biofuels for longer routes. ALICE supports this ecosystem through the Horizon Europe 2ZERO partnership, which manages €600 million in R&I for heavy-duty vehicle electrification and intermodal innovation.
Key projects include ZEFES (13 use-case demonstrations), FLEXMCS, and MACBETH, which develop megawatt-scale charging for electric trucks.
Urban logistics transformation
Panelists discussed how growing e-commerce and city restrictions demand new logistics models. Light electric vehicles, cargo bikes, and urban microhubs are becoming essential. Paola highlighted ALICE-supported projects such as URBANE, DISCO, GREENTURN, Log-eHubs, and SHIFT2ZERO, which test new configurations for urban delivery, infrastructure, and digital solutions.
She also pointed to automation as a coming shift. Through the CCAM Partnership, ALICE supports the MODI project, which explores Level 4 automation for autonomous freight corridors.
Bridging innovation and regulation
A recurring theme was the gap between technological progress and regulatory readiness. ALICE stressed the need for harmonised low-emission zone rules, standard vehicle access regulations, and unified driver licensing across the EU to prevent fragmentation and support innovation.
To support small operators, ALICE encouraged EU member states to use the Social Climate Fund to help microenterprises not only buy electric vehicles but also integrate them into operational systems, hubs, and platforms. Electrification must be embedded in broader systems, not seen as a one-off investment.
On standardisation, ALICE applies the Physical Internet framework to develop interoperable systems, including swappable cargo boxes, modular vehicles, and shared micro hubs, that optimise space and reduce inefficiencies.
Research and innovation
ALICE highlighted that the transport sector is in transition, and many aspects of future systems, including AI, digital twins, and infrastructure, remain undefined. Therefore, research and innovation funding must be maintained and targeted toward system-level solutions.
Paola emphasized the need for industry-driven R&I, focused on practical implementation. Projects like SHIFT2ZERO test cargo bikes and light EVs in real conditions, but more funding is needed to validate loading systems, vehicle modularity, and seamless interoperability.
OEMs want to anticipate future logistics needs but lack data and coordinated input. ALICE sees this as a major gap. More public-private pilots are needed to guide vehicle design and ensure alignment with evolving logistics models.
The value of collaboration
No single actor can drive the transition alone. Paola shared examples from the DISCO project, where ALICE partners co-developed flexible urban space models with cities and private operators. These models increase efficiency and unlock value for real estate stakeholders, municipalities, and logistics carriers.
Her concluding message: the last mile is not just a cost but a strategic opportunity. With the right mix of innovation, investment, and collaboration, urban logistics can become a core driver of cleaner, smarter, and more liveable cities.