A consortium of 30 partners from ten countries is developing lightweight electric commercial vehicles tailored for urban logistics under the European Union–funded Shift2Zero project, with prototype testing planned in six major cities including Oslo and Thessaloniki.
The initiative focuses on refining six electric vehicle prototypes based on the Iveco eDaily and Alkè ATX platforms. The vehicles are designed for real-world delivery and municipal operations, with trials scheduled in Bergen, Oslo, Thessaloniki, Bologna, Brussels and Wrocław to evaluate performance under diverse urban conditions.
Funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, the project operates with a total budget of €12 million, including €10 million in EU support. Key participants include the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Fundació Eurecat, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Alkè Electric Vehicles, Iveco S.p.A., Michelin and logistics provider Gruber Logistics, alongside municipalities and research institutions.
According to the consortium, the project aims to accelerate adoption of zero-emission light commercial vehicles by addressing operational challenges faced by delivery fleets. “Inefficiencies in fleet sizes, load factors and energy consumption, as well as stricter urban access regulations, clearly show that conventional vehicles are reaching their limits. Europe urgently needs emission-free, cost-efficient and flexible solutions for urban logistics,” AIT said.
Proposed innovations include modular cargo compartments that can be reconfigured for different tasks and multi-temperature storage zones capable of transporting frozen, refrigerated and dry goods simultaneously. Additional features under development include ergonomic driver workstations, bidirectional charging, regenerative braking, advanced thermal management systems and digital tools for supply chain integration.
Researchers are also exploring infrared cabin heating and energy-optimised control strategies to improve efficiency and extend range, particularly in cold climates. “By developing infrared cabin heating systems and intelligent heat management, we are helping to optimise vehicle performance while reducing energy consumption,” said Mirza Popovac, project manager at AIT.
Beyond vehicle technology, the project includes market studies, business modelling, training programmes and policy alignment efforts to support large-scale deployment. Special attention is being given to cold-chain logistics, reverse logistics and multi-mission vehicle concepts that could transport both goods and passengers.
The consortium said the work is intended to pave the way for broader adoption of zero-emission light commercial vehicles across Europe as cities tighten emissions rules and demand for rapid urban deliveries continues to grow.