Ricardo launches project to improve efficiency for long distance heavy transport

Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, has announced it is working on a project to revolutionise long distance heavy transport, with the aim of creating zero emission, flexible vehicle platforms with modular powertrains serving the long-haul freight ecosystem.   

The ZEFES programme is co-funded by the European Commission and brings together five truck and two trailer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs, suppliers, logistic operators and research partners to work towards accelerating the integration of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) for long distance heavy transport. The focus will be on improving efficiencies, mass production capabilities and demonstrating the use of the technologies in daily operations.  

By 2025, the programme aims to deliver nine different vehicles running over one million kilometres across EU corridors in real daily operations, all guided and validated by a digital platform. Vehicles will carry over 40 tonnes across distances of up to 750km, to vigorously test electric vehicle (EV) and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) trucks against real world performance and to help understand infrastructure needs.   

Ricardo is providing the digital simulation platform for the programme, allowing modelling of a range of vehicle operations and technology over the routes, and validation of test. This data will support the removal of ambiguity of long-term investment decisions for the fleet operators buying new technologies and the local governments making infrastructure decisions.  

Adrian Schaffer, President of Emerging Mobility at Ricardo, said: “This is an important project in supporting the development of zero-emissions in the long-haul freight industry. It will enable OEMs to make informed technology-led strategic decisions to deliver future mobility solutions to the logistics sector. Companies operating in this industry already face considerable challenges from the increasing cost of fuel to the impact of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, technology is supporting them to de-risk. We look forward to continuing to work on the project alongside other consortium members, using our expertise to inform investment decisions.” 

Fernando Liesa, Secretary General of ALICE, the Alliance for Logistic Innovation through Collaboration in Europe, added: “The ZEFES-project will support the road transport and logistics ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of zero emissions road transport technologies in Europe by addressing the required interdependencies across sectors: energy, charging, vehicles and users. Bringing together a consortium of partners and experts in the industry, such as Ricardo, is an important element in achieving success and developing solutions that create future mobility strategies within this important area of the industry.”   

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