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Shift2Zero
Shifting to zero-emission logistics with right-sized, mission-focused, N1 eLCVs
Shift2Zero is developing a new generation of purpose-built electric light commercial vehicles (e-LCVs) to accelerate the transition to zero-emission urban and suburban logistics through user-centric vehicle design, operational innovation and large-scale real-life demonstrations.
Project information
Status
Ongoing
Duration
1 January 2025 - 30 June 2028 (42 months)
Project type
Horizon Europe Innovation Action
Grant Agreement Number
101192375
ALICE Project Manager
Factsheet
Related ALICE Thematic Group
Related Community
ALICE Multifunctional Urban Space Community
ALICE Digital Urban Freight Community
Keywords
- e-LCVs
- Zero-emission vehicles
- Zero-emission logistics
- Urban freight
- Physical Internet
- Last-mile delivery
Project overview
Urban logistics is undergoing rapid transformation as cities introduce Low Emission Zones (LEZs), Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVARs) and stricter climate requirements. However, most commercially available N1 vehicles were not specifically designed for the operational realities of urban logistics, creating a gap between fleet requirements and available vehicle solutions.
Shift2Zero addresses this challenge by developing a new generation of right-sized, mission-focused electric light commercial vehicles tailored to urban freight operations. The project brings together vehicle manufacturers, logistics operators, cities, research organisations and policymakers to co-design and validate vehicles that better match operational needs while reducing environmental impact and operating costs.
The project will develop and test six novel e-LCV concepts for e-commerce deliveries, reverse logistics and temperature-controlled distribution. Through innovative vehicle designs, modular cargo solutions, intelligent energy management and digital tools, Shift2Zero aims to improve fleet efficiency and accelerate the deployment of zero-emission logistics solutions across Europe.
Objectives and expected outcomes
Objectives
01
Develop purpose-built, right-sized electric light commercial vehicles for urban logistics.
02
Co-create vehicle concepts directly with logistics service providers and mobility operators.
03
Improve vehicle efficiency, safety and operational flexibility through modular design.
04
Support compliance with LEZ and UVAR schemes across European cities.
05
Reduce operating costs and barriers to e-LCV adoption.
06
Enable integration with multimodal and Physical Internet-based logistics networks.
07
Create scalable solutions for urban and suburban freight transport.
Expected results
01
Six new N1 electric vehicle concepts tailored to specific logistics missions.
02
Modular and interchangeable cargo body solutions.
03
Multi-temperature cargo systems for cold-chain distribution.
04
Innovative vehicle control strategies for improved efficiency and reduced emissions.
05
Enhanced energy management solutions including thermal management and charging innovations.
06
Digital decision-support and optimisation tools for logistics operators.
07
Evidence-based policy recommendations supporting large-scale deployment of e-LCVs.
Demonstrations, pilots and validation
Six real-life demonstrations will validate Shift2Zero innovations across diverse operational environments.
01
Bergen and Oslo (Norway)
- Geofenced vehicle operations.
- Urban curbside management and reservation systems.
- Modular swap-box solutions.
- Return logistics demonstrations.
02
Bologna (Italy)
- Urban transhipment hub operations.
- Optimised last-mile distribution.
- Safe loading and unloading processes.
03
Brussels Capital Region (Belgium)
- Shared e-LCV services for logistics SMEs.
- Demonstration of dual passenger and freight transport.
- Integration with charging infrastructure and IoT technologies.
04
Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Geofencing and dynamic urban space management.
- Smart fleet monitoring and operational optimisation.
05
Wroclaw (Poland)
- Multi-OEM swap-box operations.
- Reverse logistics applications.
- Vehicle-to-infrastructure energy transfer for automated parcel machines.
Demonstrations will be supported by simulations, digital twins, impact assessment tools and cross-site knowledge transfer activities to maximise scalability and replication potential.
Innovative solutions
Safe geofenced N1 right-sized vehicles
Vehicle concepts specifically designed for urban access, safety and efficient operation within regulated city environments.
Multi-temperature cargo body and optimised thermal comfort
Advanced cargo systems capable of handling multiple temperature zones while improving energy efficiency and driver comfort.
Dynamically optimised vehicle space and dual transport concepts
Flexible vehicle configurations combining passenger and freight transport capabilities.
Holistic energy management
Integrated energy optimisation approaches covering thermal systems, braking, tyres, charging and vehicle controls.
Modular swappable load units
Interchangeable cargo containers that support collaborative logistics operations, seamless transfers and Physical Internet applications.
Digital logistics optimisation platform
A suite of analytics, routing, fleet optimisation and monitoring tools integrated into a common urban logistics management platform.
ALICE's role
ALICE plays a strategic role in Shift2Zero by ensuring that project innovations are aligned with European logistics priorities, market needs and policy developments.
ALICE contributes through:
- Development and validation of policy recommendations supporting e-LCV deployment.
- Engagement with industry stakeholders and logistics networks.
- Support for Physical Internet and synchromodal logistics integration.
- Facilitation of dissemination, knowledge sharing and market uptake.
- Contribution to training, upskilling and stakeholder capacity-building activities.
- Support for exploitation, replication and route-to-market planning.
- Validation of policy mechanisms with industry and public stakeholders.
By embedding project outcomes within broader European logistics initiatives, ALICE helps maximise the long-term impact and scalability of Shift2Zero.
Related ALICE activities
Related policy activities
- EGUM
Related roadmap activities
- Roadmap to Physical Internet
- Roadmap Towards Zero Emissions Logistics 2050
- POLIS - ALICE Joint Guide for Advancing Together Towards Zero-Emission Urban Logistics by 2030
Related project contributions
- EGUM Report: City Access for Businesses: Challenges and Best Practices for Urban Freight Transport
- EGUM Report: Accelerated Deployment of Innovative Sustainable Solutions
- International Standardisation Needs for Scaling Up Innovation and Advance Implementation of Physical Internet in Urban Logistics & Beyond
Project resources
- Video: Shift2Zero project video
- Flyer: Shift2Zero project flyer
- Project website: Shift2Zero project website
- LinkedIn: Shift2Zero on LinkedIn
Project consortium
Coordinator
EURECAT (Spain)
ALICE members in the consortium
Diakinisis, FIT Consulting, Gruber Logistics, Fondazione ITL, Michelin, Transportøkonomisk Institutt (TØI), CERTH and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
Other consortium partners
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, ALKE, ALICE, IDIADA Automotive Technology, IDIADA CZ, Paxster, Łukasiewicz PIT, Łukasiewicz LPIM, IVECO, InPost, RWTH Aachen University, Comune di Bologna, Municipality of Thessaloniki, City of Wroclaw, Bruxelles Mobilité, CLEM, Bergen Kommune, DHL Express Norway, Brembo and Cold Car.
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EU funding
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101192375. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.