The SOLAR-MOVE project aims to contribute to the massive adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) minimizing their impact in the power grid by proposing solutions for different Vehicles Integrated Photovoltaic (VIPV) ecosystems: i) VIPV in cities, ii) VIPV in residential and service buildings, iii) VIPV in passenger transportation and iv) VIPV in highways. The SOLAR-MOVE will follow three main targets: i) increase the range of the VIPV in 5 to 10 km/day compared to normal EVs; ii) reduce the dependency on the grid (energy provided by the grid) from 20 to 50 %, depending on the eco-system; and iii) create solutions with positive Net Present Value. To achieve these goals the consortium - comprised by 34 partners across 16 countries - will develop innovative VIPV solutions, including tools to be integrated in VIPV; VIPV prototypes (Heavy-duty vehicles with PV in the trailer, garbage trucks, passenger buses, last-mile delivery and motorhome); VIPV Use Optimisation solutions to maximise the range of the VIPVs; and ePIPV (charging stations with PVs) for diverse applications (in highways, opportunity charging for eBus, ePIPVs at municipality level, public ePIPV in commercial areas and private ePIPVs). The solutions will be demonstrated in six pilots across Denmark (VIPV:heavy Duty vehiles, ePIPV parking lot for trucks in highways), Greece (VIPV: Garbage Truck, ePIPV: Management of ePIPV at municipality level), Turkey (VIPV: Passenger Bus, ePIPV: Management of ePIPV Opportunity charging), Portugal (VIPV: Last mile delivery, ePIPV: Management of public ePIPV), Albania (ePIPV; Management of private ePIPV) and Slovenia (VIPV:Motorhome). The findings will contribute to the elaboration of policy recomendations to support the adoption of VIPV and ePIPV, guidelines for municipalities to simplify the procurement process for VIPS and ePIPVs solutions and regulatory frameworks and incentives to facilitate the mass deployment of these technologies.

The EXTENDED overall objective is to design, develop and validate the next-generation battery pack systems that will be an answer to the unmet need for mass-market take-up of electrical vehicles and applications by developing efficient, lightweight, eco-designed and multi-life battery pack systems with substantially reduced charging times, passenger car ranges beyond 500 km under normal driving conditions with an optimized energy storage capacity, a lifetime of at least 300,000 km and being monitored with an advanced Battery Management System developed for 1st and 2nd life. The developed technologies and solutions will be optimized for applications such as stationary and aeronautics. The battery system will be developed based on semi-solid-state battery technology with almost double energy density compared to conventional lithium ion batteries. This will be the first time that a large semi solid state battery cell (35Ah) will be implemented in EU research projects. A set of 6 Specific Research objectives (SROs) are defined below, which support the overall objective of the project, to develop the next generation battery pack system from its innovative elements and parts to a next generation battery pack system validated under real life conditions. The overall objective is besides specific research objectives also supported by a set of dissemination and exploitation objectives (DEOs, see section 2.2) and communication objectives (COs, see section 2.2.1). To achieve those challenging and innovative targets, the EXTENDED project is composed of 19 partners from 10 EU countries. The geographical distribution, expertise complementarity, positioning within the technology value chain, academic versus industrial profiles and recognizable completeness of this consortium.

Envisioned battery demand of 735 GWh for electric mobility by 2025, escalating to a projected 125 million Electric Vehicles (EVs) by 2033, fuels our impetus for innovation. However, these prospects are marred by real safety concerns, evidenced by 2 harrowing ship fires involving luxury EVs, despite adherence to the most stringent safety protocols. SAFELOOP is a collaborative effort involving 15 entities from 11 countries, representing a blend of research, manufacturing, and business across Europe. Transatlantic partners are joining forces to bolster competitive material-level technologies and supply chain logistics. Key goals include securing strategic raw material feedstock, reducing reliance on Asian supply chains, intensifying environmental sustainability, optimizing energy-efficient processing, and demonstrating technological leadership. SAFELOOP’s focal point is Gen3 EU EV Li-Ion Battery (LIB) safety, encompassing the entire life cycle of LIBs within EVs. Safety is considered in a broader sense, not just at a cell level, while the latter remains a key pillar of the research at hand. To name a few, material handling, component processing, battery manufacturing, testing, transport, maintenance, and recycling of active materials are considered. A Eurocentric supply chain for EV-grade battery materials will be established, minimizing the environmental and cost impact of long-distance transportation. SAFELOOP ensures that batteries and their components adhere to EU safety and environmental regulations. Beyond enhancing EU battery safety, the project seeks to develop the world's first EV-rated LIB using up to 25% recycled and fully rejuvenated battery-active materials. This initiative paves the way for an ambitious industry-wide recycling target of 90% within the next decade, akin to today's lead-acid battery industry's 95% recycling rate. These ecologically responsible solutions address key aspects of automotive battery safety within the EU and beyond.

The HELIOS project aims at developing and integrating innovative materials, designs, technologies and processes to create a new concept of smart, modular and scalable battery pack for a wide range of electric vehicles used in urban electromobility services, from mid-size electric vehicles to electric buses, with improved performance, energy density, safety, lifetime and LCoS (Levelized Cost of Storage). Novel developments that integrate hardware and software solutions for the smart control of electrical and thermal management systems that exploit advanced materials, power electronics, sensors and cutting-edge ICT, such as cloud-based Big Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies running in the cloud are investigated and implemented within the HELIOS action. These combined approaches enable: i) increase energy and power density; ii) enhance key characteristics like ultra-high power charging; iii) improve safety; iv) improve E fleet control and health management strategies to extend lifetime; v) create optimised EV charge and discharge procedures and predictive maintenance schedules; vi) monitor SOC (State of Charge), SOH (State of Health) and carbon footprint for each battery pack throughout its entire life cycle, which allows an effective integrated supply chain for the manufacture, reuse and recycling of Li-ion battery packs to be established; viii) improve battery pack design and performance with reduced LCoS, based on a circular economy approach where the modular battery packs can be easily re-used in a range of 2nd life applications prior to EoL recycling and ix) assessment of HELIOS solution effectiveness in different urban electromobility models such as car-fleets and e-bus fleets.

SUN-TRANS is a multi-partner, Europe-wide initiative designed to transform urban and commercial fleets by integrating Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV), high-efficiency power electronics, and AI-driven fleet orchestration into electric buses and last-mile delivery vehicles. Heavy-duty vehicles and vans account for a disproportionate share of transport emissions—up to 39%—despite numbering far fewer than passenger cars. SUN-TRANS addresses this gap by developing semi-transparent, curved, and colored VIPV modules, designed for both e-bus rooftops and last-mile EVs, backed by advanced encapsulation materials that endure vibration, UV, and harsh climates. These modules pair with multiport, wide-bandgap power converters, ensuring over 98% efficiency under real-world shading and load variations. Partners will demonstrate integrated solutions in three distinct pilot sites—Izmir (Türkiye), Alba Iulia (Romania), and Bilbao (Spain)—covering diverse climates and operational demands. Through an AI-driven platform built on Siemens’s DepotFinity and EnergyIP, SUN-TRANS coordinates real-time solar charging, route optimization, and grid services like peak shaving and demand response, slashing operational costs by up to 30%. By merging cutting-edge technology with streamlined manufacturing (BOZ, MUSO), the project aims to scale VIPV adoption, lowering cycle-time overhead below 5% and meeting UNECE automotive standards for safety and reliability. Life-cycle assessments (AMBI) confirm eco-efficiency and social acceptance, while municipalities (Izmir, Alba Iulia) and Bizkaigar (Bilbao) validate real-world performance. Ultimately, SUN-TRANS delivers replicable business models (R2M) for public transport and last-mile operators, catalyzing investor interest via robust ROI data and strategic financing pathways. In doing so, SUN-TRANS advances Europe’s transition to low-carbon mobility, unlocking solar’s untapped potential in bus depots and delivery fleets